Are data centres going to crash the world economy?

The News Agents

Wednesday, 19 August 2026 - 34 minutes

Borrowing costs have hit new highs in some of the world's biggest economies. While Trump's war with Iran is behind some of rise, it's the AI effect that is spooking some market analysts. A huge surge in corporate borrowing for AI development and data centre building has led to fears that there are risks involved in betting on an artificial intelligence boom - and investors are demanding higher returns on their lending as a result.

Data centres have become increasingly under the political spotlight too. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro - a recent cheerleader of AI - has changed tack and is now placing tight restrictions on data centre development in his State. Closer to home, Scotland is home to an almighty row about a proposed site near Fife - with campaigners claiming it could demand more energy than half of Scottish homes. If AI growth starts to stutter, and the public and politicians turn on the Big Tech developers, could our economies experience a collapse akin to the 2008 crash?

Later, why Volodymyr Zelenskyy has experienced arguably his toughest day since Russia's invasion - and is facing fresh calls to hold an election.

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