Michael Burry says it would be for the 'good of humanity' if a market crash stops OpenAI and Anthropic from going public (www.businessinsider.com)

Michael Burry, the renowned investor known for forecasting the 2008 financial crisis, recently expressed his belief that a market crash could be beneficial for humanity by preventing AI giants OpenAI and Anthropic from going public. He argued on X (formerly Twitter) that their initial public offerings (IPOs) could lead to a disastrous influx of capital that would ultimately harm society, stating these companies could "suck up" trillions of dollars. Burry’s remarks emphasize the ethical and safety concerns surrounding the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and its potential risks, further illustrated by his reference to the fictional AI from the "Terminator" series, Skynet. As both companies prepare for their IPOs—OpenAI potentially in 2026 and Anthropic possibly after the midterms—the stakes remain high for the AI/ML community. Access to public capital could accelerate their development of advanced AI models and infrastructure, although it also raises concerns about prioritizing profit over safety. Burry’s bearish stance on AI investments stems from his view that the current debt-fueled growth in technology sectors, including chip manufacturing and data centers, is unsustainable, especially under the pressures of rising interest rates. Despite these risks, AI stocks have surged to record highs, highlighting a potential disconnect between market optimism and underlying financial vulnerabilities.