AI, Economy & Finance News — 2026-09-25 (Fri) Evening News

AI and Economy Latest News

Overview

The expansion of AI-related capital investment and its side effects on profitability, electricity procurement, and employment are becoming a focus at the same time. Wariness about the risk of write-downs announced by Burry et al. and the tightening of power and labor due to data center construction are progressing in parallel. At the U.S.-China summit meeting, it was also announced that the two countries would strengthen dialogue to prevent the misuse of AI (Jiji Press, Fukui Keizai Shimbun, etc.).

Macroeconomic/growth trends

While the AI boom has been described as the ``biggest economic bet in history'' (US, research report), AFR points out that ``the AI boom may end in a severe global recession,'' and there are both optimistic and pessimistic opinions (KTLA) (AFR). NatWest Group claims to contribute to UK economic growth through the use of AI (NatWest Group). Axios reports on an “unprecedented battle for capital” driven by AI (Axios). A panel was also held to discuss incorporating AI into inflation and interest rate forecasts (Stacking Benjamins).

Productivity trends

It is reported (Universul.net) that large companies will take the lead in the AI competition, which will spread to the real economy. MIT and Suffolk University publish study on productivity impact in construction (bdcnetwork.com). The EU's AI advisory committee urges the European Commissioner to rebuild the region's economy through the use of AI (politico.eu). Meanwhile, AFR warns that the "layoff trap" could be the biggest threat to AI (AFR). New York City is considering AI regulation legislation while aiming to become the "AI capital of the world" (Fortune).

Trends in employment and labor market

IBM survey points out skill gap in AI talent (eenewseurope.com). Verizon reportedly spent $71 million to avert the "threat of job losses due to AI" (Telecoms). In the HR field, the need to build AI literacy by role was discussed (HRTech Series), and DHL called for response to AI-based transformation in the logistics field (DHL). ECU (East Carolina University) in the US introduces a new AI strategy for students (WITN).

Trends in energy/power demand

Data center construction is straining power, power grids, and construction labor (The Verge, KPAX News). Diraq claims the possibility of reducing power consumption for AI learning using quantum computers (Quantum Zeitgeist). DarkHorse (NASDAQ: DRK) announces strategic partnership to expand AI data center in TVA region (marketscreener.com). A US public opinion poll shows wariness about AI-driven data center expansion (energynow.com). In Malaysia, it was reported that Japanese regulators are stepping up oversight of loans for AI data centers (The Edge Malaysia).

Remarks by central banks, international organizations, and VIPs

Regarding Lagarde, Ueda, Bailey, Georgieva, Cormann, Banga, Acemoglu, and Brynjolfsson on this list, we could not confirm any specific statements or actions in the headings. Regarding international organizations, Lesotho is reported to be the first country in the world to apply the UN's AI Blueprint (iAfrica.com).

Trends in corporate capital investment

It is reported that AI-related capital investment is at the stage where the results of the "Capex Boom" of "$1.1 Trillion" are being questioned (The Dark Side Of The Boom). An article was published (Insider Monkey) comparing Microsoft and Amazon's ability to convert capital investment into profits in their AI cloud businesses. Burry warns of write-offs risk as hyperscalers expand AI investment (Seeking Alpha). While Meta's stock price has plummeted due to concerns about capital investment, analysts and individual investors say it is the ``most undervalued AI stock in the Mag 7'' (Stocktwits). Akamai was reportedly recognized as a "genuine AI cloud company" (Money Morning).

Trade and industrial policy

Chinese cities compete to attract AI filmmakers by offering subsidies and cheap computing resources (Technology Org, Reuters, Межа. Новини України.) Anthropic presents “2028: Two Scenarios for Global AI Leadership” (Anthropic). NVIDIA is reported to have a gross profit margin of 71.1%, and Jensen Huang is said to have commented on the state of AI regulation (tradingview.com). Regarding Japan, it was confirmed at the U.S.-China summit meeting that there will be stronger dialogue to prevent the misuse of AI (Fukui Keizai Shimbun).

Integrated analysis: What is happening now

Looking across the headlines, the AI investment cycle emerges as a series of structures: ``expansion of capital investment'' → ``stress on electricity and construction labor'' → ``skepticism about monetization (burry, meta stock price drop).'' The focus is on whether capital investments on the scale of $1.1 Trillion (The Dark Side Of The Boom) can be converted into actual profits, and the comparison of Microsoft and Amazon's capital investment efficiency (Insider Monkey) is also in this context. At the same time, expectations for AI to improve productivity (recommendations to the construction industry, the UK economy, and the European Commission) coexist with concerns about job losses and layoffs (AFR "layoff trap," Verizon's huge investment), and divergences of optimism and pessimism regarding the economic effects of AI are appearing simultaneously in multiple sections. In the electric power sector, the construction boom has emerged as a constraint on the power grid and construction labor force, and there are also ripple effects on policy and finance in the form of public wariness (energynow.com) and regulatory authorities' increased monitoring of loans (related to Malaysia and Japan). Direct statements from the heads of central banks and international organizations were not included in this collection, and the focus was on developments at the practical and institutional level, such as the application of the United Nations Blueprint to Lesotho and statements from the EU's AI advisory committee.

Future points of interest

- In the next financial results of hyperscalers (Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, etc.), whether the capital investment estimated at $1.1 trillion has turned into actual profits (including whether the risk of valuation losses pointed out by Burry has materialized). - How will the tightening of electricity and power grids for data centers affect policy and regulatory responses (such as strengthening loan monitoring by financial authorities in Japan and elsewhere) through construction labor shortages and public backlash in the United States (energynow.com)? - Will central bank governors and heads of international organizations (Lagarde, Ueda, Bailey, Georgieva, etc.) refer to AI-related prices, growth, and financial stability in future press conferences and statements?

AI and finance latest news

Overview

While Citi has introduced AI in risk screening, a regulatory gap has emerged in which guidelines from authorities are not yet developed (Forbes). In the insurance industry, it has been pointed out that the use of AI is intensifying disputes with hospitals and increasing the burden on patients (Common Dreams). Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic are considering establishing an AI safety standards organization by 2027 (The Times of India, finance.biggo.com).

Bank trends

Citi has introduced a system in which AI reviews risk at the beginning of the loan appraisal process, but Washington (US authorities) has no corresponding guidelines, Forbes reported. BNP Paribas has partnered with Google Cloud in the field of agent AI and cloud (Markets Media). Illumio discussed the relationship between EU banking resilience and frontier AI, and Pinnacle Financial Partners pointed to the opportunities and growing risks of AI in financial management (Illumio, Pinnacle Financial Partners). Barclays follows HSBC and Tom Lee in raising its S&P 500 target based on AI results (Stocktwits).

Insurance trends

Although insurance companies are bullish on the use of AI, a survey has revealed that policyholders still prefer human assistance (Insurance Business). Life Insurance International points out that AI can be both a threat and an opportunity for insurance companies in terms of dispute resolution. S&P Global Ratings found that good AI governance separates insurance companies from winners and losers (Insurance Business). There are also reports that the battle over AI between insurance companies and hospitals has pushed up patient prices by about $1 billion (Common Dreams). Oracle has sent a “force majeure” notice over its troubled AI data center (Impakter).

Trends in asset management and market transactions

Stocktwits reported that BlackRock has joined Meta's $14 billion data center business (Stocktwits). BNP Paribas Asset Management discussed the climate challenges and opportunities of AI (BNP Paribas Asset Management). PE funds are progressing with individual optimization of strategies using AI amidst intensifying competition (Law360). Reuters opined that AI challenges are forcing the trading industry's legacy forces to change (Reuters). Stocktwits reported that Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures rose as momentum in AI-related trading revived following the financial results of big tech companies such as Amazon and Apple. FXEmpire points out that the decline in Oracle stock is testing the resilience of AI-related investments and long-term interest rates (highest since 2007). In the Japanese market, the Nikkei average rose 1.2% due to purchases of AI-related stocks and purchases aimed at dividends (The Economic Times).

Fintech/payment trends

Block has added support for Bitcoin Lightning Network to its payment protocol “x402” (bloomingbit, BigGo Finance). AxLabs has released “Simple Agent Wallet” for autonomous AI payments on EVM, Solana, and Hedera (Neo News Today). LoanPro announced a new payment, loan execution, and AI servicing tool (Finovate). PYMNTS.com commented that building an AI agent is "no longer the most difficult challenge" in agent-based commerce (PYMNTS.com).

Remarks from key figures and authorities in the financial world

We were unable to confirm any of the headlines reporting direct statements or actions by the key figures being tracked (Jamie Dimon, Larry Fink, Jane Fraser, David Solomon, Brian Moynihan, Ted Pick, Ken Griffin, and Paul Atkins).

Trends in AI-related stocks and funding

An analysis by Yahoo Finance shows that three Canadian AI-related stocks have room for up to 85% upside relative to fair value. An article explaining AI investment in Wayve, a British AI company that operates a self-driving taxi business in London, has been published (Morningstar). AlphaGo co-developer raises funding for AI startup (Briefs Finance). Meta's AI "Muse" could become a new multi-billion dollar revenue stream, according to an analysis (Seeking Alpha). At Dealroom, Lemkin and O'Driscoll discussed the AI bubble, Muse, and new seed-stage funding formulas (Dealroom).

Trends in financial regulation and supervision

The Financial Times discussed how AI can address financial risks (Financial Times). It has been reported that Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic may jointly come up with AI safety standards by early 2027, and there are also reports that the establishment of an independent AI safety standards organization is being considered as early as this year (The Times of India, finance.biggo.com). As mentioned above, it has also been pointed out that there are no guidelines from the US authorities regarding Citi's AI-based risk assessment that has been raised as a regulatory issue (Forbes).

Japan-related supplement

Daiwa Securities has fully adopted LayerX's "Ai Workforce" at its inheritance business bases, expanding AI-based support for determining heirs and creating inheritance relationship diagrams to its bases nationwide (PR TIMES, bizzine.jp). Dai-ichi Life Asset Management Economic Research Institute discussed whether AI stocks will be more selective in Japan's 3% long-term interest rate environment (Dai-ichi Life Asset Management Economic Research Institute). WSJ reported that even in the age of AI, "cash is king" (WSJ).

Integrated analysis: What is happening now

AI is being implemented first in banking and insurance, and AI is being incorporated into the core of decision-making processes, such as Citi's risk screening AI (Forbes) and Daiwa Securities' introduction of inheritance business AI (PR TIMES). On the other hand, the regulatory gaps pointed out by Forbes and the increase in patient costs due to intensifying disputes between insurance and hospitals (Common Dreams) indicate a structure in which governance and regulatory responses have not kept up with the speed of implementation. On the market side, funds are still flowing heavily into the AI infrastructure and data centers of major tech companies, as seen in BlackRock's investment in Meta data center and Barclays' bullish forecast for AI earnings (Stocktwits), but Oracle's "force majeure" notice and the combination of Oracle's stock decline and long-term interest rates rising (Impakter, FXEmpire) suggest that the cost of financing AI investments and the risk of implementing infrastructure are rising at the same time. In the field of payments, the development of infrastructure that allows autonomous AI agents to directly make payments, such as x402 and Simple Agent Wallet, is progressing (bloomingbit, Neo News Today), and this may become a new frontier where regulatory gaps will expand. On the regulatory side, while the private sector-led safety standards group initiative by Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic (The Times of India) is making progress, the response from the financial authorities (Citi case) appears to be lagging behind, and the disconnect between industry and authorities may become a point of contention in the future.

Future points of interest

- Whether US authorities (Federal Reserve, OCC, etc.) will provide specific supervisory guidance for AI-driven risk reviews like Citi. - The concrete image of the AI safety standards organization envisioned by Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic, and whether it will have any impact on the financial industry. - The impact of Oracle's data center problems and high interest rate environment on the sustainability of major tech companies' AI infrastructure investments (including investments by BlackRock and others).