🇪🇺 European Shares Slip as AI Slowdown Fears Hit Tech, Oil Surge Weighs

European stocks came under pressure on Monday, September 14, as a sharp decline in technology shares and surging oil prices weighed on investor sentiment. The STOXX 600 fell about 0.3%, while the European technology sector dropped roughly 2%. Semiconductor companies were among the biggest losers, with Soitec, Infineon, ASML and ASMI falling between about 5% and 13%. The technology sell-off followed calls from senior AI industry figures, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, for greater caution and a slower pace of AI development amid concerns about the potential misuse and risks of increasingly powerful systems. The warnings have raised questions about the sustainability of the massive investment currently flowing into AI infrastructure, chips and data centres. At the same time, oil prices climbed sharply as renewed Middle East tensions threatened energy supplies. Brent crude moved above $107 a barrel, adding to fears that higher energy costs could prolong inflation and increase pressure on central banks to maintain or raise interest rates. Healthcare stocks provided some support, with the sector gaining around 2.2%, helped by positive clinical-trial news from GSK. Why it matters The combination of AI investment uncertainty, higher oil prices and renewed inflation fears is creating a difficult environment for European markets. Investors are now closely watching central-bank decisions, particularly the expected U.S. Federal Reserve rate decision this week. Source: https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/european-shares-muted-tech-slides-oil-surge-weighs-2026-09-14