Cairo: Global investment linked to artificial intelligence is anticipated to surpass $1 trillion in 2026, with the United States contributing approximately $581 billion, as projected by Goldman Sachs Research and reported by Egypt's Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center.

According to State Information Service Egypt, cumulative global AI investment is predicted to reach around $1.8 trillion from 2022 through the end of 2026. This level of spending marks a transition from investments primarily concentrated among major US technology companies to a more expansive global investment cycle, encompassing data centers, semiconductors, infrastructure, and the essential equipment for AI applications.

Goldman Sachs Research highlights that discrepancies between its projections and other circulating figures on AI investment stem mainly from methodological differences. For example, a $794 billion estimate for 2026 pertains to capital expenditure by major US technology firms rather than the total global AI investment, and it does not solely represent US AI investment. This figure excludes investments by numerous private companies and major technology firms in other regions, particularly Asia.

Goldman Sachs Research employs a broader interpretation of AI-related investment, incorporating spending by public and private companies within and outside the United States. Relying solely on the $794 billion estimate would underreport global AI investment by roughly $200 billion while overstating US investment by a similar margin.

The investment surge is expected to persist over the next two years. In the United States, AI-related capital expenditure is projected to increase from approximately 1.8% of GDP in 2026 to 2.5% in 2027 and 2.8% in 2028. On a global scale, AI-related capital expenditure is anticipated to rise from about 0.9% of global GDP in 2026 to 1.3% in 2027 and 1.4% in 2028.

Current indicators support the outlook for sustained growth: imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment into Taiwan and South Korea, coupled with purchasing managers' indices and import prices, remain near peak levels since 2022, suggesting no impending slowdown in AI-related capital spending.

These findings highlight AI's role as a pivotal driver of global capital investment, with spending expanding beyond major US technology companies to encompass a worldwide ecosystem that includes data centers, semiconductors, equipment, and infrastructure.