New Delhi, Nov. 14 -- Global debt exposure linked to artificial intelligence (AI) has reached an estimated USD 687 billion, with major technology companies also carrying trillions of dollars in lease and purchase commitments, highlighting the growing scale of financing required to sustain the AI infrastructure expansion, according to a Goldman Sachs report.

The investment bank estimated that AI-related debt issuance across global syndicated credit markets stood at USD 687 billion year-to-date as of November 3, with only 43 per cent of this amount issued directly by five major technology companies, commonly known as hyperscalers.

The report said the financing requirements of the AI buildout extend well beyond direct borrowing, with these...