Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced at CES 2026 that the next-generation Rubin AI chips are on track for release, boosting Asian tech stocks—especially in South Korea and Taiwan—amid ongoing enthusiasm for AI infrastructure. The program also covered major geopolitical developments, including U.S.-Venezuela tensions and renewed South Korea-China diplomacy, while highlighting both the opportunities and risks in the current AI-driven market rally.
Asian markets are extending record highs, buoyed by strong performances in the technology sector, particularly after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Huang announced that Nvidia’s next-generation Rubin AI chips are on track for release, with production ramping up through the end of the year. These chips, designed for gigawatt-scale AI data centers, promise significantly higher performance and energy efficiency compared to previous generations. The announcement has fueled further enthusiasm for AI-related stocks in Asia, especially in South Korea and Taiwan, where tech indices have reached new peaks.
Geopolitical developments are also shaping market sentiment. The U.S. capture and arraignment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on narco-terrorism charges has triggered a major legal and diplomatic standoff. Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as acting president in Venezuela, striking a more conciliatory tone with the U.S., though the situation on the ground remains tense with reports of continued detentions and military presence. The U.S. is pushing for reforms in Venezuela, including cracking down on drug trafficking and reducing foreign influence, while also eyeing opportunities for American oil companies to invest in Venezuela’s vast but dilapidated oil sector.
In Asia, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second time in two months, signaling efforts to stabilize bilateral relations amid ongoing regional tensions. The meetings resulted in the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and discussions about lifting informal bans on South Korean cultural exports to China. However, the backdrop remains complex, with North Korea’s missile activities and broader U.S.-China rivalry influencing the diplomatic landscape.
Investment strategists on the program highlighted the ongoing debate about the sustainability of the AI boom and the risks of market concentration in mega-cap tech stocks. While AI demand remains strong, there are concerns about potential bubbles, regulatory pushback, and the need for diversification beyond the dominant U.S. tech giants. Asian markets, particularly in semiconductors and hardware, are seen as attractive alternatives, with South Korean and Taiwanese chipmakers expected to benefit from continued global AI infrastructure investment.
Other notable corporate and economic news included a surge in BlueScope Steel shares following a takeover bid, Tesla’s declining shipments from its Shanghai factory amid rising competition from BYD, and optimism about Japan’s stock market driven by corporate reforms and government spending. The program also covered the growing role of AI in sectors like legal services in Australia, the outlook for energy and defense stocks, and the potential for a strong year in Asian IPOs, especially in Hong Kong and India, as tech companies seek to capitalize on favorable market conditions.