How Muse and other AI agents could spark a bank run, according to an economist

An Apollo Global Management chief economist has raised a scenario worth understanding: agentic AI tools—systems that act autonomously on a user's behalf—could, in theory, accelerate a bank run. The concern is speed and coordination. If AI agents can move deposits or execute withdrawals far faster than humans clicking through banking apps, a loss of confidence could translate into outflows in minutes rather than days.

That matters because deposits are the funding backbone of many banks. A traditional run unfolds visibly, giving institutions and regulators time to respond. An AI-driven one could be harder to see coming and harder to slow, potentially pressuring liquidity before safeguards engage.

For markets, the takeaway is not a prediction but a risk lens. Watch how regulators and banks address AI-enabled transaction speed, withdrawal limits, and monitoring. Also note whether similar warnings emerge from other economists or official bodies—broader consensus would signal this moving from thought experiment toward policy agenda.