Global Chip Sales Set to Reach $1 Trillion on AI Boom

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Global semiconductor sales are expected to reach $1 trillion this year, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association, as massive investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure continues to drive demand. The industry group said chip sales totaled $791.7 billion in 2025, up 25.6% from the previous year, and momentum is expected to accelerate further.

Advanced computing chips led the growth, fueled by surging demand for AI workloads. Sales of high-performance processors made by Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, and Intel rose nearly 40% in 2025, reaching about $302 billion. These chips form the backbone of AI data centers being built by major technology firms worldwide.

Memory chips were the second-largest segment, with sales climbing 34.8% to $223.1 billion as prices surged amid AI-driven shortages. The impact of AI has spread across the entire semiconductor supply chain, benefiting not only the largest manufacturers but also smaller firms supplying specialized components.

Industry executives remain optimistic about near-term demand. According to the association’s leadership, order books across Silicon Valley are full, suggesting a strong outlook through 2026 even as uncertainty remains over the longer-term pace of AI infrastructure build-outs.

AI Trade Fractures as Investors Turn Selective

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The global artificial intelligence trade is splintering as investors grow more selective, weighing soaring capital spending, rising debt and uncertainty over who will ultimately profit from the technology. After an initial surge that lifted nearly all AI-linked assets, markets are now drawing sharper distinctions across stocks, sectors and regions.

One clear divide has opened between hardware “picks and shovels” and software firms. Shares of enterprise software and data companies such as ServiceNow and Salesforce have fallen sharply, while chipmakers and data-centre suppliers have proved more resilient. Strategists say investors are increasingly differentiating between companies that enable AI and those whose business models could be disrupted by it.

The famed “Magnificent Seven” are also no longer moving in lockstep. Heavy spending announcements by Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Alphabet and Amazon have triggered mixed share price reactions, as markets focus less on scale and more on returns. Fund managers warn that spending without clear payoff is no longer rewarded.

Regionally, South Korea has emerged as a standout winner as investors pile into memory-chip makers tied to AI infrastructure. The rally in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix reflects growing conviction that memory demand will be a critical bottleneck in AI expansion. Together, these trends suggest the AI trade is evolving from a broad theme into a far more discriminating market.

NFL Eyes Nontraditional Media Partners for Live Games

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The National Football League plans to hold talks with media companies outside its traditional broadcast partners about selling rights to live games, according to comments by the league’s media chief to CNBC. The move reflects the NFL’s effort to evaluate new distribution models as digital platforms increasingly rival broadcast television.

NFL executive Hans Schroeder said the league is exploring conversations with companies that may not seek a full rights package but could be interested in airing a single live game. The goal, he said, is to understand all available options and determine the best approach for fans, teams, and the league’s long-term strategy.

The league has already taken steps in this direction. Last season, it sold rights to a Week One game to YouTube, owned by Google, reportedly for about $100 million, signaling how streaming platforms can now deliver audiences comparable to traditional broadcasters.

Looking ahead, the NFL is set to host a record nine international games next season and could create a new media package for some of those matchups as early as next year. The discussions highlight how shifting viewing habits are expanding the league’s options as it balances reach, revenue, and fan engagement.