Goldman Sachs CEO: AI’s opportunity is enormous, but ‘there will be winners and losers’

Core Insights - Goldman Sachs views AI as a significant growth driver, although the journey may be complex [1][5] - The company reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings, attributed to robust investment banking fees and trading revenue [2] - Solomon expresses cautious optimism regarding the U.S. economy, suggesting a low chance of near-term recession [3][4] Economic Outlook - Solomon highlights the U.S. economy's diversity and current good shape, while acknowledging unseen factors that could trigger a recession [3] - The buildout of AI infrastructure is identified as a key factor supporting economic growth, with major companies expected to spend a combined $350 billion on AI this year [4] AI Investment Boom - Solomon discusses the potential for significant productivity gains as AI becomes integrated into enterprise operations [4] - He reflects on the historical context of technology investment cycles, noting that the current AI boom may not follow a straight trajectory [5][7] - The opportunity set with AI is described as enormous, but there will be both winners and losers in this space [6][7] Market Capitalization Concerns - Solomon addresses concerns about the massive market capitalizations of major tech firms, some nearing $5 trillion, suggesting that this could indicate a potential bubble [5] - He recalls past investment cycles and the phenomenon of "irrational exuberance," emphasizing that while AI investment trends are real, they will not be linear [6][7]