Bessent says AI firms should bear their own risks as affordability concerns grow

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said artificial intelligence developers should be responsible for the risks tied to their products, arguing against the idea of a federal liability shield for the industry. He made the remarks on CNBC’s Squawk Box on Monday and said humans, not AI systems, should be held accountable. Bessent’s comments came as some AI leaders have warned about the dangers of rapidly advancing models, while President Donald Trump has pushed back against stricter regulation of the sector. The Treasury secretary also discussed interest rates, his recent talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, and Trump’s effort to block certain news outlets from White House access. The interview also touched on broader economic concerns, including rising Treasury yields and higher mortgage costs. Bessent pointed to a recent Treasury buyback of longerterm notes and said it would likely have prevented yields from rising even further, even as borrowing costs and fuel prices remain a political issue for Republicans ahead of the November election.