# Bessent: AI firms won't get liability shield

> Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says artificial intelligence developers must take responsibility for their own risks, rejecting calls for federal protection.
- Title: Bessent: AI firms won't get liability shield · CNBC | Shortify
- Summary: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says artificial intelligence developers must take responsibility for their own risks, rejecting calls for federal…
- Keywords: scott bessent, treasury secretary, artificial intelligence, liability shield, trump administration, ai regulation, ai developers, federal policy, business, finance, Bessent, firms
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/09/21/treasury-bessent-cnbc-squawk-trump-bond-affordabilty.html
- Author: Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger
- Published: 2026-09-21T11:00:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: scott bessent, treasury secretary, artificial intelligence, liability shield, trump administration, ai regulation, ai developers, federal policy, business, finance
## No liability shield for AI
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that AI developers must take responsibility for themselves rather than expect federal protection from liability.

> "It is humans who are responsible, not the AI."
## Trump opposes AI regulation
President Trump strongly supports expanding AI companies and data centers in the U.S., rejecting calls from some AI leaders for a potential slowdown of the industry.
## U.S. and China discuss AI risks
Bessent met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng for 12 hours on Sunday to discuss AI dangers and establish a communication line for future AI-related incidents.
## Trade truce expires in November
The temporary trade agreement between the U.S. and China is set to expire on November 10, and was a focal point of Bessent's weekend talks with Beijing.
## Fed raises rates despite Trump
The Federal Reserve raised benchmark interest rates to 3.75% to 4% last week, the first increase since 2023, even as Trump pressured the Fed to cut rates.
## Treasury yields spike amid Iran war
The 10-year Treasury yield has risen about 100 basis points since the Iran war began in late February, now exceeding 5% and pushing mortgage rates above 7%.
## Bessent defends bond market strength
Bessent called a $5 billion Treasury buyback in September successful and noted the U.S. bond market is the best-performing in the developing world under Trump.
## Trump bans three news outlets
Trump banned MS NOW, CNN, and Politico from the White House on Friday, claiming unfair coverage. The three outlets sued on First Amendment grounds on Monday.
## Key takeaway

The Trump administration will not shield AI companies from liability for their products, placing responsibility on developers rather than regulators.