IMF Forecasts Global Private AI Investment to Exceed $2 Trillion by 2026
According to the International Monetary Fund's annual report, global private-sector investment in artificial intelligence is projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2026. The report highlights that AI-related technical investments contributed 0.5 percentage points to U.S. GDP growth in 2025 while boosting productivity across multiple sectors. While massive capital infusion into AI accelerates economic productivity and increases compensation for skilled roles, it poses significant displacement risks for middle-skilled workers. Policymakers and industry leaders must manage this transition to prevent widening economic inequality. The IMF's AI Preparedness Index ranked Singapore first globally due to its digital infrastructure, education system, and proactive regulation. Interestingly, while jobs requiring AI skills offer higher wages, regions with high concentrations of AI jobs did not show an overall growth in total employment.
## BACKGROUND
The IMF AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) evaluates 174 countries using macro-structural indicators across four core pillars: digital infrastructure, human capital, technological innovation, and legal frameworks. As AI moves from foundational research to broader commercial integration, national readiness determines how effectively economies can capture productivity gains while insulating labor from disruption.