Technology, AI ‘diffuses’ into the broader economy, investment strategist says

July 28, 2026 - 06:05

Tom Hainlin, national investment strategist at U.S. Bank Asset Management Group, said on "The Claman Countdown" that artificial intelligence is no longer confined to the technology sector. Instead, it is spreading into the broader economy in a process he described as "diffusion."

Hainlin pointed to recent earnings reports from major tech companies as evidence that the AI boom is maturing. While early gains came from hardware and cloud infrastructure, he noted that a growing number of industries are now integrating AI tools into their daily operations. Manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services are all finding ways to use machine learning and automation to cut costs and improve efficiency.

The strategist cautioned that this diffusion does not mean every company will see immediate profit boosts. However, he argued that the long-term trend is clear: AI is becoming a standard business tool rather than a niche technology. He compared the current moment to the early days of the internet, when adoption started in tech firms before spreading to retail, logistics, and other sectors.

Hainlin also warned investors to look beyond the hype. He said the real value will come from companies that can apply AI to solve specific problems, not just those that sell the underlying technology. As the economy adjusts, he expects more volatility in tech stocks but steady growth in industries that successfully adapt.