AI & Economy News — 2026-09-25 (Fri) Evening 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 were unable to 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?