The AI bubble: five things you need to know to shield your finances from a crash.
A stock market crash caused by an "AI bubble" bursting could have far-reaching consequences for investors. The term "bubble" was first used by investors to describe the situation in 1929, and it refers to periods of rapid price increases followed by sharp declines. However, predicting when a bubble will burst is nearly impossible.
The concerns about an AI bubble are shared by people from both sides of the aisle. On one hand, some commentators argue that investors are overpaying for technology stocks because of misplaced expectations about future profits from artificial intelligence (AI). On the other hand, bankers at UBS predicted positive gains for AI-linked shares in 2026.
Investors can protect themselves against a potential AI bubble by having an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses. Diversifying investments across different sectors and asset classes is also recommended. For those close to retirement who are thinking about using their pension pot to buy an annuity, locking in current high valuations may be worth considering.
One reliable investment during a crash is gold, according to experts. Short-term government bonds, known as gilts, are another asset that investors should consider. Funds such as the Trojan Fund and the Royal London Short-Term Money Market Fund offer access to these assets.
Ultimately, investors need to think in terms of years, not weeks or months, when making investment decisions. It's also essential to ask yourself why you're feeling uneasy about an AI bubble – if it's because you'll need the money soon, then you might be invested too riskily for that timeframe.
A stock market crash caused by an "AI bubble" bursting could have far-reaching consequences for investors. The term "bubble" was first used by investors to describe the situation in 1929, and it refers to periods of rapid price increases followed by sharp declines. However, predicting when a bubble will burst is nearly impossible.
The concerns about an AI bubble are shared by people from both sides of the aisle. On one hand, some commentators argue that investors are overpaying for technology stocks because of misplaced expectations about future profits from artificial intelligence (AI). On the other hand, bankers at UBS predicted positive gains for AI-linked shares in 2026.
Investors can protect themselves against a potential AI bubble by having an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses. Diversifying investments across different sectors and asset classes is also recommended. For those close to retirement who are thinking about using their pension pot to buy an annuity, locking in current high valuations may be worth considering.
One reliable investment during a crash is gold, according to experts. Short-term government bonds, known as gilts, are another asset that investors should consider. Funds such as the Trojan Fund and the Royal London Short-Term Money Market Fund offer access to these assets.
Ultimately, investors need to think in terms of years, not weeks or months, when making investment decisions. It's also essential to ask yourself why you're feeling uneasy about an AI bubble – if it's because you'll need the money soon, then you might be invested too riskily for that timeframe.