# Treasury Emphasizes AI Lab Accountability

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has publicly stated that AI laboratories should not receive liability exemptions, underscoring the importance of accountability in AI safety. The Treasury Department is actively collaborating with financial institutions and AI labs through initiatives like the Gold Eagle clearinghouse to enhance cybersecurity and safety standards. Additionally, the Treasury advocates for the development of more open-source AI models within the U.S. to promote innovation and reduce foreign influence risks.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the Treasury's stance against liability exemptions for AI labs, which may influence contract terms and risk management requirements in AI-related procurements.
- The emphasis on U.S.-based open-source AI development signals potential prioritization of domestic AI vendors and technologies in future government solicitations.
- Collaboration through platforms like Gold Eagle indicates growing integration of cybersecurity measures in AI procurement and operational frameworks.
- Contractors and vendors in AI and cybersecurity sectors should evaluate how these policy directions affect compliance, liability, and partnership opportunities with federal financial agencies.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
- Federal Reserve (Fed)
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
- House Financial Services Committee

### Vendors
- Anthropic (AI lab)
- OpenAI (AI lab)
- xAI (AI lab)

### Key Quotes
> We can’t let these large labs have regulatory capture because that will stop innovation.
> — Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary

### Sources
- [Treasury’s Scott Bessent says no liability exemptions for AI labs | FedScoop](https://fedscoop.com/treasury-scott-bessent-ai-labs-liability-exemptions) - FedScoop