Market Talk

Oil prices settled slightly higher, with Brent crude supported by supply worries after US President Donald Trump rejected a proposal from Iran. Traders are watching the standoff for signs it could tighten global supply, and markets are pricing in added geopolitical risk as talks between Washington and Tehran stall.

AI researcher Timnit Gebru argues there is no 'existential threat' from artificial intelligence, telling WIRED that talk of AI doom is driven by founders seeking to make money rather than a genuine concern for humanity. One of the field's most prominent critics, she frames the warnings as distraction from present-day harms.

Nvidia is holding talks with insurance companies about financial arrangements that would allow loans to be backed by its AI chips, according to the Financial Times. The move would give buyers of its expensive data-centre processors new financing options, underlining how central Nvidia's chips have become to the global AI build-out. Details on the insurers involved and the scale of the loans remain undisclosed.

Circle Internet Group, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, is drawing heavy investor attention, with financial outlets including The Motley Fool and Yahoo Finance asking why the company is being talked about now. Interest centres on the firm's stock, which has swung sharply since its public listing, as traders weigh its role in stablecoins, potential regulation and the broader crypto market's movements.

Oil prices dropped by as much as 3.5% as Middle East exports recover, easing supply concerns even as geopolitical uncertainty persists and US-Iran negotiations continue. The increase in shipments from the region is helping to offset fears of tighter supply, weighing on crude benchmarks and drawing attention from markets watching the diplomatic talks closely.

Donald Trump is holding meetings with artificial intelligence executives, while rising Treasury yields are putting pressure on stock markets. Also making headlines: Alaska is making a push to attract luxury travelers. The items are part of CNBC's Morning Squawk briefing, rounding up the key business and market stories investors are watching as the trading day gets underway.