Asian Shares Mixed After Wall Street Sell-Off of Potential AI Losers

Chip makers and AI-related companies surge, while other sectors slump amid concerns over AI's impact on the economy.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Asian shares were mixed on Tuesday following a heavy sell-off on Wall Street of companies that could be negatively impacted by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). U.S. futures and oil prices gained, while major markets in Asia saw mixed results. The sell-off was triggered by a report from Citrini Research that outlined a scenario where AI's dominance could lead to the decline of the 'human-centric consumer economy' and threaten employment. This sparked concerns about the future impact of AI on various industries.

Why it matters

The sell-off in companies potentially threatened by AI highlights the growing uncertainty and disruption that the rapid advancement of AI technology is causing in the global economy. As AI capabilities continue to expand, there are concerns about which industries and businesses will be the winners and losers, leading to increased market volatility and the need for policymakers to develop comprehensive plans to address the economic implications.

The details

The Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo surged 0.9%, with chip testing equipment maker Advantest rising 4.5% and machinery maker Disco Corp. adding 2.1%. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite index rose 0.9%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.8% as traders locked in profits. South Korea's Kospi gained 2.1%, with memory chipmaker Samsung Electronics jumping 3.6% and SK Hynix rising 5.7%. In the U.S., the S&P 500 fell 1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.7%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.1% as companies like CrowdStrike and AppLovin were hit hard by concerns over AI competition.

  • On Monday, U.S. stocks slumped after President Trump ramped up his newest tariffs.
  • President Trump's State of the Union address is scheduled for Tuesday.

The players

Citrini Research

A New York-based financial services company that published a report outlining a scenario where AI's dominance could lead to the decline of the 'human-centric consumer economy' and threaten employment.

Christopher Waller

A Federal Reserve governor who said it's a 'coin flip' on whether the Fed will cut its main interest rate at its next meeting in March or stand pat again.

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What’s next

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller's comments suggest the central bank is still undecided on whether to cut interest rates at its next meeting in March, which could have significant implications for the economy and markets.

The takeaway

The sell-off in companies potentially threatened by AI highlights the growing uncertainty and disruption that the rapid advancement of this technology is causing in the global economy. As AI capabilities continue to expand, policymakers will need to develop comprehensive plans to address the economic implications and ensure a smooth transition for industries and workers.