Goldman Sachs has restricted advanced AI coding tools, including Anthropic's Claude Code and Microsoft's GitHub, to its engineers, ending months in which bankers and traders were allowed to experiment with them. Bloomberg reported the change on November 2, citing internal guidance issued in October; traders had used the tools to monitor client trading flows, model market changes and create written and graphic material.

The reversal is notable because Goldman's own leadership promoted exactly that experimentation. In July, Chief Information Officer Marco Argenti praised non-technical staff 'vibe coding' solutions and handing them to one of the firm's 12,000 engineers to refine. Some traders are reported to be frustrated by losing access, while the firm's 'strats' — staff who combine quantitative research, software and trading — keep theirs.

Goldman frames the move as the end of a trial, not a retreat from AI. Spokesperson Nick Carcaterra told Bloomberg the firm makes certain tools available so employees can find the best use cases, then, after assessing productivity and risk management, puts them 'in the hands of those who are best suited to leverage them for the long term.' No incident or audit behind the decision has been made public.