Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent evaluated the public communication efforts of AI companies and hyperscalers as a D-minus during a speech on September 2, 2026. He urged the industry to better articulate the value of artificial intelligence for national security and daily life, noting that the government also shares responsibility for this outreach.
Bessent stated that capital investment in AI is expected to be disinflationary, potentially reducing price growth within six months of September 2026. During an investor conference on October 21, 2026, he dismissed concerns about a systemic bubble, contrasting current AI developments with the dot-com era.
Regarding regulation, the Secretary advocates for industry self-regulation rather than government-imposed constraints. He expressed skepticism toward AI leaders who solicit federal oversight. While Bessent views the US as the leader in AI over China, he supports bilateral dialogue on safety protocols and incident notification.
