Technology stocks fell sharply after the midterm elections as investors worried about tighter government rules on artificial intelligence, according to reports from NPR and The Guardian's First Thing briefing.

NPR reported that shares sank and that the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped more than 5%. Its report, by Rafael Nam, said investors reacted with fear that a Democratic Congress, and states across the country, would crack down on AI and data centers. The headline of the NPR piece described the selling as a $2 trillion rout in tech stocks.

The Guardian, in a briefing by Martin Belam, reported that stock markets around the world had fallen sharply as the rout in US tech stocks spread across the Atlantic. It linked the decline to the Democrats' midterms victory, which it said led to fears of a slowdown in the AI industry. Its summary described anticipation that a Democratic "blue wave" would bring tighter rules on AI and datacenters.

Both reports tie the sell-off to expectations of tougher rules rather than to any specific measure. Neither summary names a particular bill, rule, or agency action that would take effect.

The reports differ in emphasis. NPR centered its account on the decline in the Nasdaq and on Congress and the states, while The Guardian centered its account on global markets and the way the decline spread overseas.

The available summaries do not say how long the decline lasted or how far it extended beyond the figures cited. Readers seeking those details would need to consult the full reports.

Sources: NPR: Fears about an AI crackdown after midterms sparks a $2 trillion rout in tech stocks; The Guardian: First Thing: Global tech stocks wobble over AI regulation fears after midterms.