WSJ Tech News Briefing WSJ Tech News Briefing

TNB Tech Minute: Bessent Responds to AI Safety Concerns

Sep 15, 2026 · 2m

Summary

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified on AI safety, arguing against liability exemptions for AI labs and emphasizing the need for clear risk disclosures in public filings. Meanwhile, crypto exchange CoinEx announced its closure due to market downturns and compliance costs, despite recent scrutiny over its use by Iranian-linked wallets. Additionally, federal regulators are investigating whether Tesla’s steering-wheel-free Cybercab complies with safety standards, as the vehicle lacks traditional controls and pedals.

Topics discussed

Sponsor intro and show opening Treasury Secretary Bessent on AI risks and liability AI lab IPOs and global open-source competition CoinEx shuts down citing costs and Iran links CoinEx founder clarifies shutdown reasons Regulators probe Tesla Cybercab safety standards Tesla Cybercab sales plans and closing remarks McKinsey: Start with winnable AI projects Redesigning workflows vs. simple automation Rethinking outcomes for AI-driven growth
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