AI Growth Concerns Weigh on Tech as Brent Crude Surpasses $110

Global markets are facing a dual headwind as concerns over the monetization of artificial intelligence collide with escalating energy costs. Shares in key OpenAI partners, including SoftBank and Oracle, have declined following reports that the AI startup failed to meet internal targets for sales and new user acquisition. This development has revived investor anxiety regarding the sustainability of massive AI infrastructure spending just as the market enters the tech earnings window. In the commodities space, Brent crude has extended its rally for a seventh consecutive session, climbing to $111 per barrel. The price surge is closely linked to geopolitical instability in the Middle East. The White House has indicated that President Donald Trump will shortly address a proposal from Iran concerning the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies. Currency markets are reflecting this volatility, with the U.S. dollar advancing 0.2%. The Japanese yen reversed previous gains after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda declined to provide a decisive signal regarding the timing of future interest rate increases, leaving traders without a clear path for monetary policy tightening. The convergence of a potential slowdown in AI momentum and rising energy-driven inflation suggests a period of heightened volatility for global indices, particularly those with heavy exposure to the technology sector and energy-sensitive industrial assets.