On February 8, 2026, investor anxiety over AI’s economic impact caused significant volatility in the stock market. Anthropic, an AI startup, unveiled automation tools for various sectors, sparking concerns about job loss and business sustainability. This resulted in a sell-off of shares across multiple companies, including Expedia and Salesforce, with a staggering $611 billion wiped from the market last week. Despite a late-week rebound in the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF, overall losses persisted, with Thomson Reuters suffering a 20% drop—their largest ever. As AI continues to disrupt industries, experts emphasize the urgency for businesses to adapt. AI’s influence has been a focal point since OpenAI’s ChatGPT debut, revamping investor strategies to focus on beneficiaries like chipmakers. The semiconductor index has surged over 200% since late 2022, while investor sentiment remains cautious amid rapid market changes.
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