Young people in Taiwan are increasingly taking on significant debt to invest in the rapidly growing technology sector, fueled by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. This trend, though risky, has attracted many who see high returns in the stock market. Lucas Chen, a 34-year-old real estate worker, borrowed the equivalent of about 136,000 euros to invest in technology stocks, quadrupling his initial investment in just six months. The Taiwanese stock market’s main index rose 59% in the first half of the year, driven by strong demand for AI-related components, such as those produced by TSMC, one of the world’s largest chipmakers. Chen used three bank loans totaling 5 million new Taiwan dollars (about 136,000 euros) and put his Tesla car as collateral, investing half of the money directly in TSMC. By the end of June, his portfolio had grown to around 20 million new Taiwan dollars. While Chen believes careful planning can manage the risks of borrowing to invest, others are raising concerns about the psychological and financial toll of this trend. Financial influencer Yeh Yu-shuo has warned on his Facebook group about the dangers of the stock market frenzy, noting that some users have expressed severe distress, even contemplating self-harm. One anonymous user shared that they invested 10 million new Taiwan dollars (270,000 euros) in recent months, borrowing 6 million from a mortgage, only to lose nearly half of their investment. The experience led to panic attacks and attempts to seek help from both a psychiatrist and a temple, with no relief. Taiwanese banks, which have seen unprecedented deposit levels due in part to stagnant property prices, are willing to lend money to young investors, encouraging a wave of "reckless" stock buying, according to Norman Yin, a professor of monetary and banking economics at National Chengchi University. For some, like Chen, the potential for rapid returns is more appealing than traditional office work. He argues that borrowing from a bank to buy stocks can yield more in a day than a month's salary. However, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan has warned about the risks of default, with the stock exchange posting videos on social media to caution young investors. Meanwhile, social media platforms are filled with posts from people claiming to have made huge profits and leaving their jobs to focus on trading. Despite recent declines in global tech stocks, driven by concerns over overvaluation and rising U.S. interest rates, many young investors in Taiwan remain optimistic. The Taiwanese stock index fell about 16% from its peak in early July, while South Korea’s market, which had surged with the tech boom, dropped around 40%. Yet, Chen still sees the current market conditions as a "golden opportunity" for his generation. Others, like 30-year-old investor Jerry Lee, feel the pressure of social media’s "everyone is winning" narrative, even as they try to remain cautious. The contrast between rising profits and falling stock prices highlights the growing divide between those who are reaping the benefits and those who are facing the consequences of a volatile market.