The IMF has issued a warning regarding the rapid accumulation of debt by global technology companies to finance AI infrastructure, cautioning that excessive leverage poses systemic financial risks if revenue growth fails to materialize. While acknowledging AI’s potential to transform productivity, the IMF emphasized that historical technology cycles have often led to financial instability when investment discipline is abandoned. Simultaneously, the World Bank’s 2026 World Development Report highlights a significant opportunity for developing nations to leverage AI for rapid economic progress. The Bank advises these countries to focus on adopting and adapting existing, lower-cost AI tools to local contexts rather than attempting to replicate expensive, large-scale AI ecosystems, provided they address foundational gaps in electricity and internet connectivity.