June 28 (Reuters) - Shares of AI-focused companies will be a major driver of returns for developed markets in a tough economic environment, BlackRock Investment Institute said, citing an unusually concentrated rally in a handful of technology stocks. "We think this unusual equity market shows a mega force like AI can be a big driver of returns even when the macro environment is not your friend," BlackRock Investment Institute's team wrote in a mid-year outlook note. The institute, an arm of the world's biggest asset manager, has an over-weight allocation for AI-related shares in developed markets. "We think this is an environment that is going to persist," Jean Bovin, Head of the BlackRock Investment Institute told reporters on Wednesday. BlackRock said it expects central banks in developed economies to keep rates steady at a high level regardless of possible episodes of financial instability.

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Persons: Jean Bovin, BlackRock, Susan Mathew, Davide Barbuscia, Sinead Carew, Anil D'Silva, Barbara Lewis Organizations: BlackRock Investment Institute, Investment, Thomson Locations: BlackRock, Japan, Bengaluru, New York