Fed's Daly says businesses 'cautiously optimistic'

Feb 17 (Reuters) - Federal ‌Reserve Bank ​of ​San Francisco President Mary Daly on Tuesday said that what had ‌been widespread uncertainty last year about the ⁠strength of demand has given way to cautious optimism ‌among the business ‌leaders she talks with.

"It's somewhat of a surprise to many of them, given that ​consumers have drained down their savings," especially among those with lower incomes, Daly ⁠told reporters after an event at San Jose State University. "But right ​now it's good...it's a buyers' market in the labor market."

Daly said that ​businesses are still uncertain ‌about how long consumer demand will stay strong, and are therefore cautious ⁠about hiring, especially with artificial intelligence potentially changing the kinds of workers they may need ⁠to have on staff.

Once they figure out how AI ​may change their business needs, she said, they can think about hiring to meet the demand that ‌they need to meet.

"I'd say that cautiously optimistic is really where they're ‌at," Daly said. "And with the policy adjustments ⁠we made last ‌year, the economy ​in their mind feels well supported."

(Reporting by Ann Saphir; Editing by Andrea ‌Ricci)

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