Signals & Noise: Bubble Building in the Age of AI

As AI enthusiasm drives markets to new highs, investors are increasingly asking whether the boom has become a bubble. In this episode of Signals & Noise, Ben Bowler and Arjun Goyal explore why today's AI-driven market shares many of the characteristics of past technological booms while arguing that the current cycle may still have room to run. They discuss BofA's proprietary Bubble Risk Indicator (BRI), a tool designed to identify bubble-like price behavior across asset classes, and explain why volatility often rises alongside prices during periods of intense investor optimism. The conversation examines how FOMO, uncertainty, and increasingly reflexive markets can create powerful momentum, as well as the practical implications for investors managing risk in AI-related equities, semiconductors, memory stocks, commodities, and other crowded trades. The key takeaway: in today's market, understanding psychology and market dynamics may be just as important as understanding fundamentals.   "Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.