IMF: Global AI Investment May Exceed $2 Trillion by 2026, Reliance on Debt Financing Expands

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its annual report, predicting that global investment in artificial intelligence (AI) will surpass $2 trillion this year, becoming a significant driver of economic growth. The report indicates that technology investments related to AI are expected to boost the U.S. GDP growth rate by 0.5 percentage points by 2025, reflecting the early positive impacts of AI applications. However, the report also warns of concerns behind the AI investment boom, as the expansion of related infrastructure and project scales increases reliance on high-cost investments and debt financing. If future returns do not meet expectations, it could trigger a chain reaction of asset valuation adjustments, wealth shrinkage, and corporate layoffs.