US stocks fall on AI safety worries and weak economic data

US stocks fell Tuesday as AI safety concerns and weak economic data dampened investor sentiment. The Dow dropped 0.26 percent, the S&P 500 slipped 0.17 percent, and the Nasdaq shed 0.09 percent. AI sector scrutiny intensified after a leaked Anthropic prospectus revealed a $2 trillion valuation target while warning of existential risks from advanced AI. OpenAI also shelved a new model over safety issues. Consumer confidence hit its lowest level since 2014, and job openings fell below forecasts. Energy and materials led sector declines, while utilities gained. Crude prices retreated as Saudi Arabia resumed pipeline flows and US-Iran talks progressed. Mortgage rates climbed to 7.58 percent, pressuring housing affordability ahead of Friday's jobs report.