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How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Investing: Infrastructure, Energy and Global Competition

Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become one of the most powerful forces shaping global markets. While many investors first encounter AI through individual stocks or themed funds, the technology’s influence extends far beyond specific companies.

AI is transforming how businesses operate, where capital is being invested and which industries may gain or lose competitive advantages. It is also introducing new considerations for investors — from geopolitical tensions to environmental concerns tied to the infrastructure that powers AI systems.

Understanding these forces can help investors evaluate how AI may influence the broader investment landscape.


AI Is Driving a New Wave of Infrastructure Investment

Much of the excitement around artificial intelligence centers on software applications and digital tools. But the growth of AI depends on an enormous physical infrastructure of chips, servers, data centers and electrical power.

Training and running advanced AI systems requires vast computing power. As a result, technology companies and cloud providers have dramatically expanded their investments in high-performance data centers that need those chips and servers.

But those data centers don't just require computing hardware. They also require electricity to power all that hardware. Analysts expect global data center electricity demand to double by 2030 as AI adoption grows.1 By then, global data center electricity consumption could reach roughly 945 terawatt-hours —equivalent to Japan’s current electricity use.1 Even one large data center that supports AI models can use as much electricity as tens of thousands of homes.2

The surge in demand for AI computing has created opportunities across several industries:

  • Semiconductor manufacturers producing specialized AI chips
  • Cloud infrastructure providers operating large data centers
  • Utilities and energy companies supplying power to these facilities

These investments illustrate how AI’s economic impact extends far beyond software development.


AI Has Become a Strategic Global Competition

AI is increasingly viewed as a critical technology in global economic and political competition. U.S. President Donald Trump has made it one of his administration’s economic priorities.

Governments globally are investing heavily in AI research while also attempting to control access to key components, such as advanced semiconductors. Advanced chips and semiconductor supply chains are increasingly viewed as strategic national assets as countries race to develop and deploy artificial intelligence.

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Artificial intelligence is reshaping global markets—from energy demand and infrastructure to geopolitics and environmental pressures.

The U.S. has imposed export controls aimed at limiting certain advanced chips from reaching strategic rivals, particularly China.3 New rules under consideration could require additional approvals4 for exporting AI accelerators produced by major chipmakers.

These policies highlight how geopolitical tensions can affect AI-related investments. For example, export restrictions may limit the markets available to semiconductor companies, while supply-chain disruptions could influence production timelines and costs.

For investors, this means geopolitical developments — once considered primarily a political issue — may increasingly influence technology valuations.


AI and Sustainability Questions

The infrastructure required to power AI is also factoring into their assessments of technology companies.

Data centers consume large amounts of electricity, and their cooling systems require significant water resources. With that, technology companies have pledged to improve efficiency in their data-center operations.5 But the scale of AI’s growth means energy demand may continue to rise rapidly.6 Companies are exploring a broader mix of energy sources — including nuclear, wind and solar — to power expanding data-center infrastructure to meet energy requirements.7

Representatives from leading AI and tech companies signed an agreement in March also pledging to protect Americans from higher electricity prices due to data center expansion.11

For investors evaluating AI-related companies, understanding how businesses plan to meet their energy commitments is becoming an increasingly relevant consideration, particularly for those focused on sustainability or other investment strategies.


Taking a Broader View of AI-Driven Markets

Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities across global markets, but evaluating those opportunities increasingly requires looking beyond individual technology companies. For many investors, the question is not only which firms are developing AI tools but also how the technology is reshaping the broader systems that support modern economies — from computing infrastructure and energy demand to global supply chains and policy decisions.

AI’s influence now extends across industries, including healthcare, logistics, finance and manufacturing. In healthcare, for example, AI is being used to analyze medical data, improve clinical decision making and reduce administrative costs.8 In logistics, companies are deploying AI tools to detect fraud9 and improve return and supply-chain efficiency. In financial services, AI is also widely used to identify fraudulent activity10 and analyze large volumes of transactions in real time.

Companies that successfully integrate AI into their operations may strengthen productivity, accelerate innovation and gain competitive advantages. At the same time, the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure introduces additional considerations, such as the cost of computing power, evolving regulatory frameworks and geopolitical competition around critical technologies like semiconductors.

Approaching AI investing through this wider lens can help investors identify opportunities that extend beyond the technology sector itself. The forces reshaping AI infrastructure — from energy demand and semiconductor supply chains to geopolitical competition and sustainability pressures — represent one of the most consequential economic shifts of this century. For investors, the practical implication is straightforward: understanding how these forces interact may reveal opportunities and risks that a narrower focus on individual technology companies alone would miss.

Important disclosure information

This content is general in nature and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment advice. You are encouraged to consult with competent legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment professionals based on your specific circumstances. We do not make any warranties as to accuracy or completeness of this information, do not endorse any third-party companies, products, or services described here, and take no liability for your use of this information.

  1. International Energy Agency, “Energy demand from AI,” accessed June 8, 2026. Back
  2. Beth Stackpole, “AI Has High Data Center Energy Costs — But There Are Solutions,” MIT Sloan School of Management, January 7, 2025. Accessed June 8, 2026. Back
  3. Ron Bouso, “US AI boom faces electric shock,” Reuters, February 25, 2026. Accessed June 8, 2026. Back
  4. Reuters. “U.S. Targets China’s Chip Industry With New Restrictions,” December 2, 2025. Accessed June 8, 2026. Back
  5. Garrett Cook, “Tech Giants Pledge to Manage AI Date Center Power Costs,” Investing.com, March 4, 2026. Accessed June 8, 2026. Back
  6. Juliana Ennes, “Big Tech, power grids take action to reign in surging demand,” Reuters, August 18, 2025. Accessed June 8, 2026. Back
  7. Ben Payton, “Time to go nuclear? Inside the battle to power AI,” Reuters, December 17, 2025. Accessed June 8, 2026. Back
  8. Sriparna Roy and Sneha S K, “US insurers and hospitals turn to new AI for age-old battle over charges vs payments,” Reuters, March 12, 2026. Accessed June 8, 2026. Back
  9. Lisa Baertlein and Alexandra Sarabia, “UPS company deploys AI to spot fakes amid surge in holiday returns,” Reuters, December 18, 2025. Accessed June 8, 2026. Back
  10. Joice Alves, “Old meets new economy: AI boom to supercharge European banks' rally,” Reuters, December 15, 2025. Accessed June 8, 2026. Back
  11. Bryn Dippold, "Big Tech Signs Pledge to Lower Energy Cost Near Data Centers," Dayton Daily News, published March 6, 2026. Accessed June 8, 2026. Back