BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, continues to see strong investment potential in artificial intelligence but notes a significant shift for 2026. A survey of 732 institutional clients revealed that over 50% now favor energy and infrastructure providers for their AI bets, compared to only 20% who still see large US tech groups as the most compelling opportunity. While big tech and AI led market returns in 2025, BlackRock views energy and infrastructure as the "body" powering AI's "brains." However, economist Mohamed El-Erian warns that the AI stock market surge may face challenges in 2026, citing rising economic inequality, geopolitical tensions, and fears of a market bubble similar to the mid-2000s housing market. Major tech companies are intensifying their AI focus. OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are heavily investing in AI to transform online shopping, prompting Amazon to prepare its own strategies to defend against this disruption. Meta Platforms is rebalancing its workforce, moving resources and employees specifically towards AI initiatives, underscoring a long-term commitment to integrating AI across its products and services. This industry-wide push highlights the competitive landscape as companies vie to lead AI innovation. AI is finding practical applications across various sectors. In Japan, Zenken is leveraging ChatGPT Enterprise to boost sales and streamline operations, reporting over 90% weekly active usage. This has saved 30-50% of time on knowledge tasks, provided 5-15 extra hours per employee monthly, and saved 50 million yen in annual outsourcing costs, thanks to its security features and advanced reasoning models. Meanwhile, Cisco is enhancing digital trust and resilience for Middle East organizations with its AI Defense platform, which secures the entire lifecycle of AI applications by scanning components for weaknesses and providing real-time protection against attacks and data leaks, especially for autonomous AI agents. The growing presence of AI also brings new challenges and opportunities for society. The Columbia Board of Education approved a new AI policy and created an "AI Coordinator" position, focusing on generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Canva AI, with an emphasis on privacy and security. In St. Louis, the search for real vervet monkeys is complicated by fake AI-generated images and videos circulating online, making it difficult to discern genuine sightings. Interestingly, Generation Z is reacting to this increasingly artificial world by seeking more genuine and real experiences. Looking ahead, NASA announced a new research opportunity for foundational AI to support future Moon and Mars missions, with the official announcement expected around January 13, 2025.
Key Takeaways
- BlackRock's 2026 AI investment focus shifts from big tech to energy and infrastructure providers, with over 50% of 732 surveyed investors favoring power providers for data centers.
- Economist Mohamed El-Erian predicts the AI stock market surge may face challenges in 2026 due to rising inequality, geopolitical tensions, and potential market bubble fears.
- OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are heavily investing in AI to transform online shopping, prompting Amazon to develop defensive strategies.
- Meta Platforms is rebalancing its workforce to prioritize AI initiatives, moving resources and employees towards AI development.
- Cisco introduced AI Defense to secure AI applications for Middle East organizations, scanning components for weaknesses and providing real-time protection against attacks and data leaks.
- Zenken in Japan uses ChatGPT Enterprise, achieving over 90% weekly active usage, saving 30-50% of time on knowledge tasks, and cutting 50 million yen in annual outsourcing costs.
- The Columbia Board of Education approved a new AI policy and created an "AI Coordinator" position, focusing on generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Canva AI, emphasizing privacy and security.
- AI-generated images and videos are causing confusion in St. Louis during the search for real vervet monkeys, making it difficult to distinguish genuine sightings.
- Generation Z is increasingly seeking genuine and real experiences in a world with growing synthetic content due to AI.
- NASA plans new research opportunities for foundational AI to support future Moon and Mars space exploration missions, with an announcement expected around January 13, 2025.
BlackRock says investors favor energy for 2026 AI
BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, still believes in artificial intelligence investments for the year ahead. However, a recent investor survey shows a shift in focus for 2026. Investors now prefer energy and infrastructure providers over big tech companies for their AI bets. More than half of the 732 companies surveyed in the EMEA region backed power providers for data centers. Only a fifth of investors saw large US tech groups as the most compelling AI opportunity. BlackRock's head of core US equity, Ibrahim Kanan, emphasized managing risk while finding new opportunities.
BlackRock sees energy as next big AI investment
BlackRock's Investment Directions report indicates a shift in investor preference for artificial intelligence. Investors looking to capitalize on AI in 2026 now favor energy and infrastructure providers over Wall Street's big tech companies. While AI and big tech led market returns in 2025, BlackRock believes the infrastructure and energy sectors that power AI will be the next to benefit. This suggests a more diverse approach to AI investing, moving beyond just the dominant tech giants.
BlackRock shifts AI investment focus to energy and infrastructure
BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, expects artificial intelligence to remain a powerful market force in 2026. However, they now see energy firms and infrastructure providers as more attractive AI investment opportunities than traditional big tech companies. A survey of 732 institutional clients revealed that over 50% prefer energy providers, while only 20% consider big tech as top AI bets. This shift is driven by AI's growing energy needs and the massive capital required for infrastructure. BlackRock views energy and infrastructure as the "body" that keeps AI alive, complementing big tech's "brains."
BlackRock advises investing in AI energy providers
BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, still believes in the investment potential of artificial intelligence for the upcoming year. However, its recent investor survey shows a new focus for 2026. Investors now prefer energy and infrastructure providers over large Wall Street tech companies for their AI investments. While big tech dominated in 2025, the survey of 732 clients found that over half backed power providers for data centers. Additionally, 37% chose infrastructure as their top AI investment. BlackRock's Ibrahim Kanan stressed the importance of managing risk while finding new opportunities.
Columbia schools adopt new AI policy and coordinator role
The Columbia Board of Education approved a new artificial intelligence policy and regulations for both students and employees. The district will also add a new district-wide "AI Coordinator" position. This revised policy focuses on generative AI, including platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Canva AI. It emphasizes privacy and security to prevent data from leaving the district. The district will update parents annually on AI use and train employees and students on acceptable uses and data management. AI Use Plans will provide detailed rules to protect safety and security while enhancing education.
Columbia Public Schools approves new AI rules
The Columbia School Board approved a new artificial intelligence policy and rules for students and employees. Columbia Public Schools will also create a new "AI Coordinator" position for the entire district. This policy focuses on generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Canva AI. It highlights the importance of privacy and security to protect district data. The district will train employees and students on these new requirements and update parents yearly on AI use plans. The AI coordinator will oversee, monitor, and adjust AI use, ensuring compliance with laws like FERPA.
Fake AI images confuse St Louis monkey search
A real group of vervet monkeys was spotted roaming near a park in St. Louis last Thursday. Police and health officials are trying to find the monkeys, but AI-generated images and videos are causing confusion online. People are posting fake pictures and videos, making it hard to tell what is real, according to Willie Springer from the St. Louis Department of Health. It is illegal to keep monkeys in the city, so their owners are unlikely to come forward. Animal control is working with experts at the St. Louis Zoo to locate them, and the public should call 314-657-1500 for real sightings.
Economist warns AI stock craze may fade in 2026
Mohamed El-Erian, a leading economist and former PIMCO investment chief, predicts that the stock market's AI surge will face challenges in 2026. He advises investors to shift their focus away from AI. El-Erian points to three main reasons for this potential slowdown. First, rising economic inequality could cause lower-income consumers to stop spending, harming the overall economy. Second, increasing geopolitical tensions, such as those between the US and China, could negatively impact global economic activity. Finally, fears of a market bubble exist, as not all companies will successfully make money from AI, a situation he compares to the mid-2000s housing bubble.
AI aims to transform shopping Amazon prepares defense
Major tech companies like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are heavily investing in artificial intelligence to change how people shop online. While current AI-based shopping experiences are still developing, these companies aim to revolutionize the e-commerce industry. Amazon, a dominant force in online retail, is reportedly preparing its own strategies to defend against this upcoming AI disruption. The article suggests that AI has significant potential to reshape the shopping industry, and the competition to lead this transformation is intensifying.
Cisco boosts AI security for Middle East organizations
Cisco is helping organizations in the Middle East adopt artificial intelligence while ensuring digital trust and resilience. They combine their AI security knowledge with networking capabilities to support national AI and digital transformation plans. Cisco introduced AI Defense, a platform designed to secure the entire lifecycle of AI applications. This solution scans third-party and open-source AI components for weaknesses, reducing supply chain risks. It also provides real-time protections against attacks, data leaks, and harmful outputs, especially for autonomous AI agents. AI Defense acts as a gateway, intercepting calls between AI agents and servers to protect sensitive data.
Meta shifts workforce to focus on AI
Meta Platforms is rebalancing its workforce by moving resources and employees towards artificial intelligence initiatives. This strategic change highlights the company's long-term commitment to developing and integrating AI across its products and services. Meta is prioritizing AI talent and projects, which may mean fewer resources for other areas within the company. This move aligns with the broader industry trend of major tech companies investing heavily in AI research and applications. Meta's strong focus on AI is expected to shape its future product roadmap and competitive standing in the evolving digital landscape.
NASA seeks AI for Moon and Mars missions
NASA announced a new opportunity for research in foundational artificial intelligence for the Moon and Mars. This initiative is part of Amendment 37 to the "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2025" program, known as ROSES-2025. The official announcement, NNH25ZDA001N, will be posted around January 13, 2025. This program aims to develop advanced AI technologies to support future space exploration missions.
Zenken boosts sales and saves costs with ChatGPT Enterprise
Zenken, a company in Japan, is improving its sales team and operations by using ChatGPT Enterprise. This AI tool helps them cut preparation time, increase win rates, and focus on more valuable work. Zenken reports over 90% weekly active usage, saving 30 to 50% of time on knowledge tasks, and gaining 5 to 15 extra hours per employee each month. The company also saved 50 million yen in annual outsourcing costs. Zenken chose ChatGPT Enterprise for its strong security, which ensures client data is not used for AI training, and its advanced reasoning models that help with strategic decision-making.
Gen Z seeks real experiences in an AI world
In a world that is becoming increasingly artificial, Generation Z is showing a stronger need for genuine and real experiences. This generation is navigating a landscape where synthetic content is common due to artificial intelligence. They are actively looking for authentic connections and true human elements in their lives. This trend highlights how younger people are reacting to the growing presence of AI in their daily lives.
Sources
- Investors back energy providers over big tech for 2026 AI bets, says BlackRock
- Investors back energy providers over big tech for 2026 AI bets, says BlackRock
- BlackRock Favors Energy Firms Over Big Tech in AI Investment Bets for 2026
- Investors back energy providers over big tech for 2026 AI bets, says BlackRock
- Columbia Board of Education approves new AI policy
- Columbia School Board discusses new AI policy
- AI Images Create Confusion as Real Gang of Monkeys Roams St. Louis
- Stock market outlook: 3 reasons the AI craze will fade in 2026
- AI Has Shopping in Its Sights. Amazon Is Pushing Back.
- Cisco Highlights AI Security as Middle East Organizations Adopt Autonomous AI Agents
- Meta Rebalances Workforce Toward AI
- Amendment 37: New Opportunity: C.12 Foundational Artificial Intelligence for the Moon and Mars
- Zenken boosts a lean sales team with ChatGPT Enterprise
- Searching for humanity amid the synthetic—inside Gen Z’s response to AI
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