Global Market: AI hardware demand powers Asia’s manufacturing growth in August

Surging global demand for artificial intelligence hardware helped sustain manufacturing activity across several Asian economies in August, offering a boost to the region’s export outlook even as the prolonged Middle East conflict raised concerns over higher costs and economic uncertainty, Reuters reported.

Factory activity expanded in China, Japan and South Korea during the month, with strong demand for semiconductors, computers and other AI-related products helping offset pressure from rising input costs, according to private business surveys released on Tuesday and reported by Reuters.