The Nasdaq Composite index closed at a record high on Tuesday, rising 0.45 percent and bringing its year-to-date gains to over 17 percent, as investors set aside concerns over AI safety risks and the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Chipmaker Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft — the tech heavyweights that dominate the index — all posted gains, while memory chip manufacturer Micron Technology rose 5 percent and e-commerce firm Shopify surged more than 7 percent. Analysts say easing geopolitical tensions following reported US-Iran diplomatic talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, combined with renewed excitement over AI products such as Meta's newly unveiled assistant Muse, have refocused investor confidence in the long-term profit potential of artificial intelligence.