Ares Management Corp. CEO Michael Arougheti pushed back against market concerns about private credit and AI disruption, calling the fears "odd" and "frustrating" in a recent statement. The comments come as alternative asset managers have seen their shares hammered by investor worries about both sectors.

The private credit market has grown rapidly in recent years, with firms like Ares playing a major role in lending to companies that can't access traditional bank financing. Some investors have grown concerned about potential risks in the sector, particularly as economic uncertainty increases. Meanwhile, AI disruption fears have swept across multiple industries, with some questioning whether alternative asset managers can adapt to technological changes.

Arougheti's comments suggest confidence in both Ares' business model and the broader private credit market's resilience. The CEO's dismissal of these concerns could signal to investors that the recent share price declines may be overblown, though market sentiment remains fragile amid broader economic uncertainty.