AI stocks slide as tech leaders urge development slowdown; SoftBank drops 13%

Global AI-linked equities fell, with SoftBank plunging up to 13%, after prominent tech leaders publicly called for a slowdown in AI development. The move signals rising investor anxiety over regulatory and existential risks, though the exact catalyst and breadth of the selloff remain unclear. This marks a notable reversal from the recent AI-driven rally, potentially triggering broader risk-off sentiment in tech-heavy indices.