Fed President Mary Daly notes cautious optimism among business leaders regarding demand
Daly says businesses feel cautiously optimistic as demand holds steady. However, firms remain wary of hiring while evaluating the impact of AI technology.
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly stated on February 17, 2026, that businesses in the US 
US have moved from widespread uncertainty last year to being cautiously optimistic about demand. This shift in sentiment is significant because the cautious stance on hiring—shaped by concerns about demand persistence and how artificial intelligence will change workforce needs—affects labor market dynamics and firms' staffing decisions.
US have moved from widespread uncertainty last year to being cautiously optimistic about demand. This shift in sentiment is significant because the cautious stance on hiring—shaped by concerns about demand persistence and how artificial intelligence will change workforce needs—affects labor market dynamics and firms' staffing decisions.
