Discussion Paper
Technology Shocks, the AI Boom, and the U.S. Current Account
Abstract: The current artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom in the United States provides a powerful boost to imports of high-technology capital goods. The AI buildout bears the hallmarks of an investment-specific technology shockâa process in which rapid technological progress makes each new generation of capital equipment significantly cheaper and more powerful than the last, but where reaping those efficiency gains requires continuous and substantial investment to acquire and deploy the new vintage of capital goods.
https://doi.org/10.17016/2380-7172.4106
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https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/notes/feds-notes/technology-shocks-the-ai-boomandthe-u-s-current-account-20260714.html
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Bibliographic Information
Provider: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.)
Part of Series: FEDS Notes
Publication Date: 2026-07-14
Number: 2026-07-14