- WorkOptional: Automate Work, Amplify Life
- Posts
- When Tariffs Drew Borders, AI Built Bridges — Now Worth $680 Billion and Rising
When Tariffs Drew Borders, AI Built Bridges — Now Worth $680 Billion and Rising
AI Investment Wave | Top Alliances | WorkOptional.ai Event | Top 5 Global AI Stories | Global AI Events
AI investment waves know no boundaries both in the east and the west.
While US chip export controls have caused Chinese tech shipments to the US to plunge by 70% since late 2024, robust demand is still powering Asia’s AI-related exports to an all-time high. Tech exports from China and the rest of Asia to non-US markets grew 20% just this summer. AI-related goods and services are fueling a record $680B in global trade, now accounting for more than 40% of all new global trade growth this year.

Global AI trade despite tariffs
The Big Shifts: Supply Chains and Alliances
Nvidia & Fujitsu’s $10 Billion AI Pact:
A new global alliance injects $10B into Japan’s robotics, healthcare, and smart manufacturing, creating 32,000+ high-skill jobs across Asia by 2027.
China’s AI Chip Production Triple Play:
China is set to triple domestic AI chip output by 2026, led by Huawei and SMIC. Huawei plans to double production of its Ascend 910C chips to 600,000 units next year, ramping to 1.6 million in 2026. Three new fabs are under construction, boosting independence from Nvidia and securing ¥380B ($52B) in state-backed investment.
US–UAE Chip Greenlight = Fast-Track Supply Realignment:
The US authorized exports of high-end Nvidia chips to the UAE, unlocking $6B+ in AI hardware flows—one of this decade’s biggest supply-chain shifts across the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Meta & CoreWeave’s $14.2 Billion AI Cloud Deal:
Meta expanded its CoreWeave infrastructure contracts to a total $22.4B, ensuring hyperscale compute through 2031.
US–UK “Tech Prosperity Deal”:
Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia are investing $38B+ in UK AI data centers and infrastructure, forging a new transatlantic “AI Growth Zone.”
AI isn’t just weathering global disruption—it’s setting a breakneck pace. Investment and output have only accelerated this year, and with worldwide AI market value set to hit $391B (and forecast to 5x by 2030), the boom is still gathering steam. The world’s supply chains and economic power centers now pivot on AI.
For business leaders and builders, the message is clear: this isn’t the time to sit out. The next decade’s growth will belong to those who rewire their operations, data, and strategy around AI. The trade war isn’t stopping the future, it’s accelerating it.
TOP 5 GLOBAL AI STORIES:
Major Corporations Announce Massive Layoffs Amid AI Restructuring
Tech giants such as Intel, Meta, Starbucks, Salesforce, Klarna, and Lufthansa slashed tens of thousands of jobs, citing AI automation and digital transformation as driving forces for restructuring globally.
OpenAI Launches Sora 2 Video Generation Model
OpenAI’s Sora 2 model delivers cinema-quality, 60-second text-to-video generation. The app hit 1 million downloads in under five days, setting a new pace for AI creative tools.
Tech Giants Pour $245 Billion into AI Data Centers
Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta collectively announced massive investments in AI-driven data centers, with capital expenditures expected to surpass $360 billion in 2025. This boom is transforming the digital infrastructure and supporting the exponential growth in AI compute demand.
AI Talent Demand Surges Globally
Worldwide demand for AI, cybersecurity, and advanced software talent is rising fast, especially in MENA and India. Tech hiring outpaces most traditional sectors, highlighting the global workforce’s shift toward digital and AI-driven roles.
IBM and Groq Announce Strategic Partnership for Enterprise AI
IBM has joined forces with Groq to deliver faster, more agentic AI technology for enterprises—accelerating real-time workflow orchestration at scale and strengthening Watsonx’s platform leadership.
Must-Attend AI Events: October 2025
AI in Healthcare: Billions Seeking Better Care through Intelligence
November 5, 2025 | Bangkok, ThailandExplores how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of healthcare enhancing patient outcomes, driving accessibility, and powering innovation across Asia.
ECAI 2025 (European Conference on Artificial Intelligence)
October 25–30, 2025 | Limassol, Cyprus (Hybrid event)
Europe’s premier AI research conference offers top talks and workshops on theory, machine learning, robotics, and real-world deployments.October 27–29, 2025 | Toronto, Canada
A premier summit for AI leaders, researchers, and policymakers, featuring keynotes on governance, foundational models, and ethical deployments.
International Conference on Robotics, AI, and Computer Engineering (ICRACE)
October 26, 2025 | Toronto, Canada
Brings together industry and academic leaders to discuss advances and breakthroughs in robotics and AI integration.
Closing Thoughts
This wave of AI-driven change shows what’s possible when people, teams, and technology converge with the right mindset. As global competition accelerates, those who learn, adapt, and put AI to work will define the next era. Ready to move faster? Don’t just watch—get involved and surf the AI wave with us.
WorkOptional Guiding you from the AI Silk Road to Silicon Gold - one insight at a time.
Reply