AI-driven Inflation Risk
According to Reuters, “AI-driven inflation is 2026’s most overlooked risk, investors say”, money managers warn that heavy AI capital spending could stoke INFLATION and force central banks to curb rate cuts, risking a correction in tech stocks. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/ai-driven-inflation-is-2026s-most-overlooked-risk-investors-say-2026-01-05/)) [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/ai-driven-inflation-is-2026s-most-overlooked-risk-investors-say-2026-01-05/)
CES — Self-driving and AI Take Center Stage
According to Reuters, “Self-driving tech, AI take center stage at CES as automakers dial back EV plans”, CES (Jan 6–9) will spotlight AUTONOMY as automakers pivot from new EV launches to AI-driven driverless systems, amid cost and regulatory concerns. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/self-driving-tech-ai-take-center-stage-ces-automakers-dial-back-ev-plans-2026-01-05/)) [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/self-driving-tech-ai-take-center-stage-ces-as-automakers-dial-back-ev-plans-2026-01-05/)
Lego Debuts “Smart Brick”
According to The Verge, “Lego announces Smart Brick, the ‘most significant evolution’ in 50 years”, the Smart Brick — a tiny onboard computer shipping March 1, 2026 — promises interactive play without cameras or AI and signals Lego’s push into connected, privacy-focused SMARTBRICK toys shown at CES. ([theverge.com](https://www.theverge.com/tech/854556/lego-announces-smart-brick-the-most-significant-evolution-in-50-years)) [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/tech/854556/lego-announces-smart-brick-the-most-significant-evolution-in-50-years)
Market surge on Venezuela capture
According to Reuters, “Wall St rallies amid energy boost after Venezuela strike; Dow hits record” as energy and bank stocks jumped on hopes of unlocking Venezuelan oil, lifting crude prices and pushing the Dow to record highs while investors trimmed safe-haven bets; keyword: oil. [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-stock-futures-tick-up-oil-companies-jump-venezuela-shock-2026-01-05/)
Fed warns on unemployment risk
According to Reuters, “Fed’s Kashkari sees risk jobless rate could ‘pop’ higher” Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari cautioned that unemployment may rise, stressing a data-dependent policy outlook and tempering expectations for near-term rate cuts; keyword: unemployment. [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/feds-kashkari-sees-risk-jobless-rate-could-pop-higher-2026-01-05/)
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