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Fed Official Sees Cautious Optimism in Business
18 Feb
Summary
- Business leaders report cautious optimism, surprising many.
- Consumer demand remains strong despite depleted savings.
- AI's impact creates uncertainty in future hiring needs.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly has observed a notable shift in sentiment among the business leaders she engages with. What was once a landscape of widespread uncertainty regarding demand strength has now evolved into a cautiously optimistic view.
This optimism is particularly surprising given that consumers have largely depleted their savings, a trend more pronounced among lower-income individuals. Daly highlighted that businesses currently find themselves in a favorable position within the labor market, describing it as a "buyers' market."
Despite the current positive indicators, businesses remain hesitant about the sustained strength of consumer demand. This, coupled with the potential transformative impact of artificial intelligence on future workforce requirements, contributes to a cautious approach to hiring. Once businesses clarify how AI might reshape their operational needs, they anticipate being better positioned to make hiring decisions to meet demand.




