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View: The AI investment boom may heat up the U.S. economy again, increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates
BlockBeats news, November 12, U.S. October inflation data came in higher than expected, showing that price pressures facing consumers remain broad and persistent, sparking concerns among some Federal Reserve officials who believe more aggressive measures may be needed to curb inflation. Over the past 3 months, prices paid by consumers for computers and peripheral equipment rose 25% on an annualized basis.
Smartphone prices posted their largest increase on record last month, though this coincided exactly with the launch of Apple's new iPhone Duo. At the same time, growing demand from data centers has driven up electricity demand, and U.S. electricity prices in October rose 0.9%, the largest increase in 6 months. Analysts at TD Securities and Morgan Stanley said these price increases are consistent with a situation where artificial intelligence-related demand is driving growth in demand for chips and other electronic products.
The construction boom in data centers and related infrastructure is also driving overall economic growth, while Federal Reserve policymakers are currently working to ensure that strong demand does not further exacerbate inflation. Morningstar Chief U.S. Economist Preston Caldwell said in a report to clients that recent data have increased the possibility that the massive demand-side stimulus brought about by the artificial intelligence boom is heating up the U.S. economy again. If this trend continues until 2027, the Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates multiple times.
Original link https://m.theblockbeats.info/flash/376999