Your Money Minute — "Bubble Talk" (September 29, 2025)

Host: Jessica Edinger, CNBC
Guests: Mike Santoli, MacKenzie Seagalos
Length: 60 seconds (00:00–01:23 content portion)

Episode Overview

This succinct episode of Your Money Minute tackles the growing chatter around an "AI bubble" in tech stocks. Drawing parallels to the infamous dot-com bubble of the late 1990s, CNBC experts unpack current valuations, market sentiment, and perspectives from both market bears and bulls. Featured guests provide insights into whether this period of enthusiasm signals opportunity or is cautionary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rising "Bubble Talk" in AI and Tech Stocks (00:00–00:17)

• Host Jessica Edinger kicks off the episode highlighting that there's an increase in discussions around whether AI-related tech stocks are in a bubble.
• CNBC’s Mike Santoli and MacKenzie Seagalos note a "percolating bubble talk" and "bubble-like valuations" due to the rapid growth and high valuations in U.S. tech stocks.

2. Comparisons to the Dot-Com Era (00:17–00:39)

• Mike Santoli draws a direct line between current AI enthusiasm and the Internet boom of the late 1990s:
  • Quote (Mike Santoli, 00:19): "AI is really as significant as the Internet was in the late 1990s. Even more, it could eventually end in very speculative bubble type conditions."
• The tone captures both excitement and caution, acknowledging both technological significance and historical warning signs.

3. Industry Leaders Recognizing the Bubble (00:41–00:55)

• MacKenzie Seagalos points out industry insider agreement, referencing Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO):
  • Quote (MacKenzie Seagalos, 00:43): "Even Sam Altman, the man who lit this fuse three years ago with chat cbt, admits that valuations are insane and calls today's frenzy a bubble, even as he insists that is the most important thing to happen in a very long time."
• This segment frames the debate with the perspective of someone deeply involved in the AI sector.

4. Market Structure and Investor Sentiment (00:55–01:23)

• Jessica Edinger notes that the S&P 500’s chart resembles the late 1990s' trajectory, feeding further speculation and analysis.
• Mike Santoli articulates views from both market bears and bulls:
  • Quote (Mike Santoli, 01:07): "Bears will say we have a hyper concentrated market the way we did back then. We had an Internet bubble back then. We have an AI bubble now. Very expensive valuations... Or in the bulls are saying if we're going to have a rerun, we're not nearly at the end of it."
• Bears warn of bubble parallels; bulls think the cycle still has legs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• AI’s Market Frenzy echoed by leaders:
  • "Even Sam Altman ... admits that valuations are insane and calls today's frenzy a bubble, even as he insists that is the most important thing to happen in a very long time." — MacKenzie Seagalos, 00:43
• Historical Comparison:
  • "AI is really as significant as the Internet was... It could eventually end in very speculative bubble type conditions." — Mike Santoli, 00:19
• Bulls vs. Bears on Market Trajectory:
  • "Bears will say we have a hyper concentrated market ... Or in the bulls are saying if we're going to have a rerun, we're not nearly at the end of it." — Mike Santoli, 01:07

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–00:17: Introduction; rise in "AI bubble" talk
• 00:17–00:39: Parallels with dot-com bubble; speculation on outcomes
• 00:41–00:55: Sam Altman’s perspective on valuations and significance
• 00:55–01:23: Market analysis, S&P 500 chart comparison, bull vs. bear viewpoints

Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, informative, attentive to the latest market sentiment
• Blends market analysis with brief, clear narrative
• Leverages expert voices and headline news for quick financial insight

Summary Takeaway

The episode delivers a balanced 60-second snapshot of current "AI bubble" debates, underlining both the skepticism of high valuations and the belief in AI’s transformative potential. Listeners are guided to stay informed and engage critically with market trends, with an invitation to follow further coverage at cnbc.com.