Global stocks hold near highs as AI boom outweighs Middle East tensions - The Business Times

• Asian stock markets are surging, driven by intense demand for semiconductors and AI-related equipment. • Key gains include Japan's Nikkei rising 1.1% following a 5% jump last week, while South Korea and Taiwan saw increases of 4.4% and nearly 6% respectively.

• Campaign Middle East has released a roundup of AI platform updates from May 2026, featuring developments from Google, Meta, Canva, and OpenAI. • Meta introduced new supervision tools allowing parents to monitor the topics their teenagers discuss with Meta AI to ensure safer interactions.

• Asian stock markets rose on Monday, driven by strong demand for semiconductors and AI technology, which helped offset risks stemming from Middle East tensions. • Key indices saw significant gains, with Japan's Nikkei rising 0.5% following a 5% surge last week, while South Korea and Taiwan also posted strong growth.

• Global AI revenue is projected to grow fivefold over two years, reaching an estimated $435 billion by Q1 2026. • To capture more of this economic growth onshore, the author proposes that India establish a "National Inference Mission" and a $5 billion AI Fund.

• Fasken’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Group released its May 2026 monthly bulletin highlighting key legal updates across Canada, the US, and the EU. • The report emphasizes the EU's strategic focus on scientific research and the role of personal data processing in driving breakthroughs in artificial intelligence.

• Asian stock markets ended mostly higher on Monday, driven by strong investor optimism regarding the demand for semiconductors and AI-related hardware. • Nvidia, in partnership with Microsoft, unveiled the RTX Spark N1X ARM processor, a move intended to challenge the market dominance of Intel and AMD.

• Asian stock markets are leveraging the ongoing artificial intelligence boom to counteract potential economic instability and geopolitical risks stemming from the Gulf region. • The trend coincides with Meta's efforts to convert its AI capacity into a potential $1 trillion market opportunity, signaling high investor confidence in tech growth.

• Nvidia is expanding its high-end AI server manufacturing capabilities by initiating hiring efforts in Vietnam and partnering with Taiwan-based Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs). • The company's expansion into the Beitou-Shilin Tech Park has significantly increased local AI power demands, prompting Taipower to implement a dual-track strategy for substation development.

• SoftBank has announced plans to invest up to €75 billion to develop artificial intelligence data centers across France. • The first of these facilities are expected to become operational within the next five years.

• SoftBank Group has announced plans to invest up to €75 billion to develop 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France. • This initiative represents SoftBank's largest commitment to AI infrastructure in Europe and stands as one of the continent's most significant projects of its kind.

• SoftBank Group has announced a €75 billion investment in France to expand the country's artificial intelligence sector. • The project aims to build a data center with a 5 GW capacity, which would be the largest of its kind in Europe.