ADB raises Asia growth forecast on AI investment, warns of overheated AI stocks
ADB credits AI investment for its Asia upgrade while warning of an AI stock correction — a two-sided official view worth tracking.
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On September 23, the Asian Development Bank raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast for emerging Asia to 5.0%, up 0.1 percentage points from its July projection, and kept 2027 at 5.1%.
The upgrade is explicitly tied to AI-related investment: electronics exports grew in Southeast Asia and India, with chip-related exports from Malaysia and Thailand named as contributors. Per Nikkei's relayed report, ADB chief economist Albert Park said data center construction and chip materials production especially benefit Asia.
The same report warns that a sharp correction in AI-related stocks could worsen business sentiment and cut investment in economies dependent on AI and chips. Citing El Niño, ADB also raised its 2027 inflation forecast from 3.4% to 3.5%. This item is relayed via Nikkei Chinese and Jiemian; the original ADB report was not reviewed.