<h1>Asian stocks plunge after US AI tech rout, raising shareholder litigation, regulatory scrutiny, and fiduciary duty concerns for managers</h1> Asian equity markets fell sharply after a major rout in US markets driven by declines in large AI-focused technology firms and renewed doubts about prospective interest-rate cuts. Technology-heavy indices led losses across the region, with semiconductor, energy storage and investment-portfolio-exposed conglomerates among the hardest hit. Economic data showing weaker-than-expected industrial output and falling fixed-asset investment added downward pressure. Legal and compliance risks include heightened shareholder litigation risk over disclosure of AI-related valuations and risk factors, potential regulatory scrutiny of market manipulation or insider trading amid volatility, and increased fiduciary duties for asset managers reassessing portfolio valuations and communications with investors.