$XAU The Fed faces an AI dilemma..

Four warnings in one hour from raising Investing.com - On Tuesday evening, September 29, 2026, a rare phenomenon occurred even by Federal measures: four senior officials spoke publicly within less than one hour (between 20:26 and 21:11 GMT)—Bar and Williams, Goolsbee, and Masalm—and all of them carried messages that intersect on one point: inflation is still the biggest problem, and there is no room for complacency

Michael Barr, a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, said that raising rates again "may be necessary," citing two linked reasons: higher energy prices and investments in artificial intelligence. He added that he "does not yet see a clear path" toward a timely return to the 2% level, and confirmed that the baseline scenario includes "additional adjustments to monetary policy."

Jon Williams: A possible single rate hike, but no rush specifically to October

John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, said the Fed "does not need to rush" in its next move, and that an additional rate hike could be appropriate "later this year" if the economy evolves according to expectations—remarks that appeared to cast doubt specifically on the October timing that markets are heavily pricing in. Williams expects inflation to reach 3.50% by year-end, economic growth of 2.25%, and unemployment rising to 4.00% next year. Notably, Williams also said that investment in artificial intelligence contributes to price pressures—an identical link that Bar pointed to.