The stock market experienced significant volatility this week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 821 points on February 23, 2026. This decline stemmed from investor concerns over artificial intelligence, trade tariffs, and a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs. Financial and software stocks saw notable drops, prompting analyst Jim Cramer to describe the market as fragile due to AI fears, even as he believes AI will ultimately create more jobs than it destroys.
However, U.S. stocks rebounded on February 24, 2026, with technology shares leading the recovery. This turnaround followed Anthropic's announcement of new AI tools and President Donald Trump's evolving stance on tariffs. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) shares notably jumped after securing a deal to sell AI chips to Meta Platforms, further boosting market confidence. An Anthropic executive, Cat de Jong, clarified that AI tools are designed to enhance existing software, not replace it, citing Thomson Reuters' use of Anthropic's AI for legal applications.
Despite the market's recovery, a blog post from Citrini Research on February 24, 2026, warned of potential economic upheaval from AI as early as 2028, contributing to billions in stock losses, particularly for financial and software firms. Citrini Research also cautioned on February 23, 2026, that AI could significantly impact payment giants like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express by 2027, as AI agents might favor cheaper alternatives such as stablecoins, potentially hitting American Express hardest.
Meanwhile, the adoption and investment in AI continue across various sectors. Lemonade, an insurance company, leverages AI chatbot Maya and AI claims processor AI Jim to streamline operations, reporting 40% revenue growth last year and projecting 61% growth in 2026. The company aims to increase its in-force premium tenfold over the next decade. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) also reported record monthly sales in May, driven by high demand for AI chips, solidifying its role as a crucial supplier for companies like Nvidia.
Further demonstrating AI's reach, Slang AI, a New York-based platform for the hospitality industry, secured $36 million in Series B funding led by U.S. Venture Partners to advance its voice technology solutions. In the creative field, designers are evaluating AI landscape generators such as Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, and Skywork AI, comparing their output quality, editing control, and workflow speed for applications like photorealism and CAD integration.
Key Takeaways
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 821 points on February 23, 2026, due to investor fears surrounding AI and trade tariffs.
- U.S. stocks rebounded on February 24, 2026, with technology shares leading, following Anthropic's new AI tools announcement and shifting tariff policies.
- Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) shares increased after announcing a deal to sell AI chips to Meta Platforms.
- Citrini Research warned of potential AI-driven economic upheaval by 2028 and significant impact on Visa, Mastercard, and American Express by 2027.
- An Anthropic executive stated that AI tools enhance existing software, rather than replacing it, citing Thomson Reuters' use of their AI for legal tools.
- Lemonade, an AI-powered insurance company, reported 40% revenue growth last year and projects 61% growth in 2026, aiming to grow its in-force premium tenfold.
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) recorded record monthly sales in May, driven by high demand for AI chips, serving key clients like Nvidia.
- Slang AI secured $36 million in Series B funding, led by U.S. Venture Partners, to advance its voice technology solutions for the hospitality industry.
- Designers are comparing AI landscape generators like Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, and Skywork AI based on output quality, editing control, and workflow speed.
- Jim Cramer commented on February 23, 2026, that AI fears contribute to a fragile stock market, despite his belief that AI will ultimately create more jobs.
Dow Jones drops 821 points on AI and tariff fears
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 821 points on February 23, 2026, due to worries about artificial intelligence and trade tariffs. Investors were also concerned about a recent Supreme Court ruling on tariffs. Financial and software stocks saw significant drops. Gold prices increased as investors sought safety. A winter storm also impacted travel and related stocks.
US stocks rebound Tuesday after Monday's AI and tariff worries
U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, with technology shares leading the recovery. Investors considered new AI tools from Anthropic and President Trump's changing stance on tariffs. Major indexes had fallen more than 1% on Monday due to concerns about AI disruption and the impact of a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs. Some megacap and growth stocks saw slight gains.
Wall Street rises as Anthropic unveils new AI tools
U.S. stocks climbed on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, with technology shares recovering from a previous rout. Investors reacted to Anthropic's announcement of new AI tools and President Donald Trump's shifting tariff policies. Major indexes had fallen on Monday due to fears about AI disruption and a Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump's tariffs. Advanced Micro Devices shares jumped after announcing a deal to sell AI chips to Meta Platforms.
Lemonade AI stock a buy for long-term investors under $60
Lemonade, an insurance company using AI for premiums, quotes, and claims, is highlighted as a potential long-term investment. The company's revenue grew 40% last year and is expected to increase by 61% in 2026. Its AI chatbot Maya and AI claims processor AI Jim streamline customer experience. Lemonade aims to grow its in-force premium tenfold in the next decade, offering a potentially attractive valuation for investors.
Lemonade AI stock a buy for long-term investors under $60
Lemonade, an insurance company using AI for premiums, quotes, and claims, is highlighted as a potential long-term investment. The company's revenue grew 40% last year and is expected to increase by 61% in 2026. Its AI chatbot Maya and AI claims processor AI Jim streamline customer experience. Lemonade aims to grow its in-force premium tenfold in the next decade, offering a potentially attractive valuation for investors.
Top AI Landscape Generators Compared for Designers
This guide compares AI landscape generators for designers, focusing on output quality, editing control, workflow speed, licensing, and pricing. Tools like Skywork AI, Midjourney, and Adobe Firefly are evaluated. Key features include photorealism, prompt adherence, inpainting, outpainting, and integration with CAD software. The comparison helps users choose the best tool based on their budget and project needs.
Jim Cramer: AI fears make stock market fragile
Jim Cramer stated on February 23, 2026, that fears surrounding artificial intelligence have made the stock market very fragile. He cited concerns about AI companies like Anthropic and OpenAI, whose new tools have impacted software stocks. Cramer believes AI will create more jobs than it destroys, but acknowledges the market's sensitivity to AI-related news and advises caution.
TSMC's record AI chip sales boost valuation
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) reported record monthly sales in May, driven by high demand for AI chips. As a key supplier for companies like Nvidia, TSMC's advanced manufacturing capabilities are crucial for AI infrastructure. The company's stock has seen significant gains over the past year, reflecting strong market confidence in its role in the growing AI sector.
Doomsday AI blog post causes billions in stock losses
A blog post by Citrini Research on February 24, 2026, warned of potential economic upheaval from artificial intelligence starting as early as 2028. This warning caused billions in stock market losses, particularly affecting financial and software companies. The article highlights growing opposition to AI expansion and its potential impact on the global economy.
AI threat to Visa Mastercard AmEx from agentic commerce
Citrini Research warned on February 23, 2026, that AI could significantly impact Visa, Mastercard, and American Express by 2027. The report suggests AI agents will seek faster, cheaper payment alternatives like stablecoins, bypassing card fees. American Express may be hit hardest due to AI's impact on white-collar jobs and customer base reduction. Despite the concerns, retail investor sentiment remained largely positive.
Anthropic exec: AI tools help, not replace, software
An executive from AI startup Anthropic stated on February 24, 2026, that AI tools enhance, rather than replace, existing software products. Cat de Jong explained that the rapid advancement of AI is causing market volatility, but Anthropic aims to collaborate with software companies. She believes AI models can improve domain-specific applications, citing Thomson Reuters' use of Anthropic's AI for legal tools.
Slang AI raises $36M for hospitality voice technology
Slang AI, an AI platform for the hospitality industry based in New York, has secured $36 million in Series B funding. The round was led by U.S. Venture Partners. This funding aims to advance Slang AI's voice technology solutions for the hospitality sector. The investment comes at a time when funding in the food tech sector is lower than its 2021 peak.
Sources
- Dow Jones plunges 821 points amid AI and tariff fears
- US stock futures steady after Monday's battering; tariffs, AI concerns dominate
- Wall Street rises after Anthropic announces new AI tools; tariff worries persist
- 1 No-Brainer Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy With $60 and Hold for the Long Term
- 1 No-Brainer Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy With $60 and Hold for the Long Term
- Top Landscape AI Generator Alternatives: Which One Fits Your Budget?
- Jim Cramer says AI fears have made the stock market fragile
- TSMC Record AI Sales Spotlight Valuation Gap And AI Infrastructure Role
- How a doomsday AI blog post wiped out billions
- Visa, Mastercard, AmEx Could Be Gutted By AI ‘Agentic Commerce’ Threat, Citrini Research Warns — But Retail Traders Unfazed By Selloff
- Anthropic exec says AI tools boost, not replace, software products
- Exclusive: Slang AI lands $36M for hospitality voice tech
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