AI Stocks: AustralianSuper's Alistair Barker Says the Fund is Sticking with the US Sharemarket and Big Tech
Australian Financial Review
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Details
- Date Published
- 18 Jan 2026
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 19 Jan 2026, 11:15 pm
Description
The head of asset allocation, Alistair Barker, is not too worried about lofty valuations, and says several companies have been generating real earnings growth.
Summary
Alistair Barker, head of asset allocation at AustralianSuper, discusses the fund's commitment to US stock markets and big tech investments, due to the profound impact of AI on global economies. The article touches upon the AI arms race between the US and China, emphasizing its significance for economic and geopolitical dynamics. While the content highlights economic and market implications, it does not directly address AI safety concerns or catastrophic risks. The discussion reprises Australia's positioning in global AI advancements, emphasizing investment opportunities rather than existential threats.
Body
MarketsEquity MarketsMonday fundiePrint articleJohn KehoeEconomics editorJan 19, 2026 – 5.00amWhen AustralianSuper’s Alistair Barker travels the world, he can see that artificial intelligence and its relationship with government will continue to have an outsized impact on the global economy and sharemarket this year.The head of asset allocation at Australia’s biggest super fund says the Trump administration in the US and Xi Jinping’s China are in an AI arms race for economic and geopolitical superiority, which bodes well for investors.Loading...John Kehoe is economics editor at Parliament House, Canberra. He writes on economics, politics and business. John was Washington correspondent covering Donald Trump’s first election. He joined the Financial Review in 2008 from Treasury. Connect with John on Twitter. Email John at jkehoe@afr.comSaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreMonday fundieInvestingAISuperannuationAustralianSuperSharemarketWall StreetFetching latest articles