The risks of investing $7tn in AI data centres

The risks of investing $7tn in AI data centres

Author: Financial Times August 26, 2026 Duration: 11:53

Traders and analysts are warning oil prices could soon hit $100 a barrel again, Germany is becoming a magnet for international defence groups, and Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs of up to 50 per cent on US imports. Plus, Wall Street is stretching itself to finance massive investment in data centres, and European heatwaves have prompted the continent to look to the Gulf for air-conditioning inspiration. 


Mentioned in this podcast:

Oil crunch threatens to send prices back above $100 a barrel, investors say

The multiplying risks of investing in data centres

Canada announces $20bn retaliatory tariffs as US trade war escalates

Berlin’s defence push draws global groups to set up shop in Germany

Gulf’s outdoor air-con catches eye of Europeans


Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com


Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 


The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. 


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com



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