How the Federal Reserve Could Inflate or Pop an AI Bubble

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate for the second consecutive month, but Chair Jerome Powell indicated that further cuts this year are not guaranteed [1][7] - Concerns about a potential AI bubble are emerging, with some analysts suggesting that the focus should be on monetary policy decisions made by the Federal Open Market Committee in Washington, D.C. [2][5] - Historical patterns indicate that financial bubbles often form during periods of low interest rates and burst when rates rise, as seen in past bubbles like the Dotcom and housing bubbles [3][5][7] AI Market Dynamics - Artificial intelligence stocks have reached record highs, but recent circular deals among major players like Nvidia and OpenAI have raised concerns reminiscent of the 1990s vendor financing agreements [4][6] - The concentration of the stock market is evident, with the "Magnificent Seven" companies accounting for 35% of the S&P 500, and the index's price-to-earnings ratio nearing the peak levels of the Dotcom Bubble [4][6] - Despite high valuations in the AI sector, some analysts believe that prices could continue to rise if the Federal Reserve aggressively cuts interest rates to stimulate a weakening economy [7]