"Definitely Not" Like Financial Crisis: Brookfield's Flatt on AI, Private Credit | The Pulse 2/25

Brookfield CEO Bruce Flatt dismissed comparisons between AI-driven economic shifts and the 2008 financial crisis, calling them "definitely not" similar during a February 2026 interview on global markets. Private credit growth was highlighted as a stabilizing force, with Flatt emphasizing its role in diversifying funding sources amid rising interest rates and AI-driven sector transformations. Deutsche Bank’s George Saravelos warned of currency volatility risks, citing AI’s uneven global adoption and its potential to disrupt trade flows and exchange rate stability. Macquarie’s Ric Deverell cautioned that AI’s productivity gains may take years to materialize, urging patience as markets adjust to structural changes in labor and capital allocation. General Catalyst’s Teresa Carlson stressed AI’s long-term economic upside, advocating for policy frameworks to ensure equitable access and mitigate workforce displacement risks.