{
  "id": 6737044,
  "title": "AI: Study – $2.6 trillion tech debt due to AI boom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/ki-studie-2-6-billionen-dollar-tech-schulden-durch-ki-boom",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-11T09:27:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/ki-studie-26-billionen-dollar-tech-schulden-durch-ki-boom/100253849.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "A study by Allianz Trade finds that the long-term debt of the eight leading US tech companies increased by 86% in one year. Their off-balance-sheet commitments, mainly for data centers, energy supply, and AI infrastructure, rose from $573 billion to around $2.6 trillion. When these commitments are considered, the actual debt burden of the companies increases by almost 150% on average, and their credit quality deteriorates by one to two rating levels. The study's author, Alexander Hirt, warns that the risks are not yet fully priced in, and investors need to consider long-term infrastructure and supply contracts in their risk analysis.",
  "summary": "The AI boom of US tech giants is costing billions - and a large part of the bill has not yet appeared in the accounts. A study shows how high the debt actually is.",
  "key_points": [
    "AI boom increases tech sector debt by 86% in one year",
    "Off-balance-sheet obligations rise 573 billion to 2.6 trillion dollars",
    "Credit quality of companies could drop one to two rating levels"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}