Investments in artificial intelligence now rival spending on railways, power grids, and communications systems, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told CNBC. She said algorithms can notably speed global economic growth, but massive AI investments carry hidden risks. If the sector’s financial returns fail to meet expectations, markets could face a large‑scale shock.
The major risk is debt held by technology companies building the infrastructure. Equipment and related products for neural networks already account for more than one‑tenth of global trade. Kristalina Georgieva explained that if the technology succeeds, it could raise annual world GDP growth from 3% to 3.5%, effectively adding output equivalent to an entire ASEAN region. But if returns on investment fall short, the accumulated borrowings of developers could trigger a chain reaction through the financial system.
The tech boom also widens global inequality: only countries integrated into chip supply chains reap the benefits. Platform creators themselves have voiced concerns — Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei previously urged pausing development because of the systems’ immense power and high risks. The International Monetary Fund insists that authorities must assess threats in advance so the technological leap does not turn into a crisis in stock markets.
