NYTimes column says AI is part of a largely unnoticed global bull market

In short: A New York Times opinion column says the world has been living through a major run-up in financial markets that many people have not paid much attention to, and it points to AI as part of the backdrop.

What's going on

The New York Times published an opinion piece arguing that the world is in an important period in modern financial history, even if it does not feel that way in everyday life. In plain terms, the column says markets have been rising for a while, which is often called a “bull market” (a long stretch where prices for stocks and other investments tend to go up).

The piece connects this bigger story to long-running changes in finance. Over the past few decades, investing has leaned more on data and math-based models, and on faster digital tools. AI fits into that pattern because it can scan large amounts of information and look for signals, a bit like having a very fast research assistant that never gets tired.

In finance, AI is already used in areas like trading, risk checks, and credit decisions. “Machine learning” (a type of AI that finds patterns from past data) is one common approach. Some researchers and policymakers also worry that if many firms rely on similar AI systems, they could all make the same mistake at the same time, like a crowd rushing toward the same exit.

What to watch

Keep an eye on how regulators respond as AI becomes more common in investing and lending, and on whether financial firms explain how their AI-driven decisions are tested. If markets turn, critics will likely ask whether AI reduced risk or added new blind spots.

Source: NYTimes