# Slower AI Gains Could Shake Up the Market, Says Top Economist > Source: > Published: 2026-07-01 11:39:56+00:00 # Slower AI Gains Could Shake Up the Market, Says Top Economist Apollo's chief economist Torsten Sløk warns of a potential market shake-up as AI investments take longer than expected to deliver returns. Non-tech sectors might face a prolonged wait to reap the benefits. Apollo Global Management's chief economist, Torsten Sløk, is sounding the alarm on the stock market's future. According to him, the current AI investment frenzy might not pay off as quickly as investors hope. This could mean a painful readjustment in market expectations. ## AI Returns: Not a Quick Fix Sløk points out that while tech stocks are soaring, the real returns from AI investments may remain confined to the tech sector for now. In plain English, outside of tech, don't hold your breath for fast gains. He suggests it might take years, not months, for other industries to see the fruits of their AI spend. Here's the gist: Equity markets are currently priced for quick profits, but what if the expected productivity gains take much longer? That's the kind of rethinking Sløk believes could lead to a repricing of stocks. It's as if everyone's expecting a sprint, but we're really in a marathon. ## Industries Facing Delays Many sectors, from healthcare to construction, aren't exactly nimble change. Sløk lists industries like banking, energy, and even defense as being slow to adopt AI. In these fields, the return on AI investments could be a long way off. So, if you're banking on rapid AI-driven growth in these areas, you might want to adjust your expectations. companies are starting to focus on the rising costs of AI implementation. If there's no quick return on investment (ROI), they might slow their spending. And that could make the road to AI adoption even bumpier. ## Why It Matters If you're just tuning in, the stock market's current excitement is largely based on the promise of AI. But if that promise is delayed, what's next for investors? Will they stay the course or pivot to other opportunities? That's the billion-dollar question. Sløk, who has previously been optimistic about AI's economic impact, now urges caution. He warns that investors might be overestimating the speed at which AI can boost margins. And if returns don't materialize soon, patience might run thin. Bottom line: AI's potential is huge, but patience is key. Investors should be prepared for a long game, especially outside the tech bubble. Rethinking timelines could save them from future disappointment. Get AI news in your inbox Daily digest of what matters in AI.