IMF chief warns world's policymakers they 'cannot keep delaying' action on debt and AI regulation

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026 · last updated 8 October 2026.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has told the world's economic policymakers to move faster on cutting debt and regulating artificial intelligence, warning that "some very tough political choices stare us in the face." She delivered the warning in Singapore ahead of IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok next week, where finance ministers and central bank governors from 191 member countries will assess the global economy. Georgieva said heavy borrowing, the AI boom and shocks from wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are hitting economies with a "triple whammy."

Georgieva warned that AI investment is set to exceed the relative scale of building railways, electricity grids and telecoms networks combined.

A separate IMF report warns governments to target cost-of-living support at the poorest households rather than using broad subsidies or blanket price caps.