ClaimsPeople

Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett led Berkshire Hathaway as chairman from 1970 and as CEO until January 1, 2026, and now serves as chairman emeritus and a board member.

1,556 claims collected, 281 researched, 78 resolved. Report of 5 November 2026, method 0.1.0+28da144b.

Scores by kind of claim

Each kind of claim is scored on its own, out of 100: the share that held up, with the range it likely falls in. Fewer resolved claims give a wider range.

  • Factual claims

    Statements about the present or the past, checked against the record: did they hold up?

    85 79 91

    High confidence, 51 factual claims resolved. From 14 documents, 2001 to 2026; 15 documents sampled from 31 candidates found.

    Not scored: 51 unresolvable, 45 checkable only against their own records.

  • Predictions

    Statements about events outside the person's control, checked once they fell due: did they come true?

    78 65 89

    Low confidence, 14 predictions resolved. From 6 documents, 2001 to 2024; 15 documents sampled from 31 candidates found.

    Not scored: 71 unresolvable, 2 checkable only against their own records. 10 more fall due later.

    Does not yet allow for how likely each prediction was when made.

  • Promises

    Commitments to the person's or organisation's own future action, with something to deliver: was it delivered?

    72 57 85

    Low confidence, 12 promises resolved. From 7 documents, 2001 to 2026; 15 documents sampled from 31 candidates found.

    Not scored: 17 unresolvable, 4 not yet due, 1 checkable only against their own records.

  • Guidance

    A company's own figures for its results over a period, checked against what it then reported.

    Insufficient record: 1 guidance claim resolved, 5 needed for a score.

    Not scored: 2 unresolvable.

All types combined: 82 (likely 76 to 87, high confidence), from 77 claims: 51 factual claims, 14 predictions, 12 promises. It mixes kinds of claim in different proportions for different people, so compare people kind by kind.

Warren Buffett's claims

281 claims, sorted by newest said. Choose a claim to read it in full.
VerdictKindSaidClaimTopic
Resolved true Factual 18 Sep 2026 Howard Buffett has been a Berkshire director for 33 years. Factual · 18 Sep 2026 Their own work or organisation
Delivered on time Promise 18 Sep 2026 Warren Buffett becomes Chairman Emeritus of Berkshire and remains a director. Promise · 18 Sep 2026 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 18 Sep 2026 Warren Buffett took the reins at Berkshire at age 34, after a shorter apprenticeship than Howard Buffett's 33 years as director. Factual · 18 Sep 2026 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 18 Sep 2026 Howard Buffett succeeds Warren Buffett as Berkshire's Chairman. Factual · 18 Sep 2026 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 18 Sep 2026 Warren Buffett has served Berkshire since 1965. Factual · 18 Sep 2026 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 10 Nov 2025 Buffett said that after Stan built the paper's new Sunday product, Berkshire's newspaper, which had been losing cash, earned over 100% annually pre-tax on Berkshire's $33 million investment for some years. Factual · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Promise 10 Nov 2025 Buffett will keep writing an annual Thanksgiving message to Berkshire shareholders. Promise · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 10 Nov 2025 Buffett's children and the Berkshire directors are fully supportive of Greg Abel as CEO. Factual · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 10 Nov 2025 Buffett and Charlie Munger several times encountered a CEO's debilitating disease and failed to act. Factual · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Delivered on time Promise 10 Nov 2025 Greg Abel will become Berkshire Hathaway's chief executive at the end of 2025. Promise · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 10 Nov 2025 Berkshire's stock price has fallen about 50% three times in 60 years under present management. Factual · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not yet due Prediction 10 Nov 2025 Buffett said that, with a little luck, Berkshire should need only five or six CEOs over the next century. Prediction · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 2025 A truly staggering insurance loss will occur someday, and there is no guarantee there will be only one per year. Prediction · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Mostly true Promise 2025 Buffett will personally match whatever is raised through the sale of the 20 autographed "Charlie" books for the Stephen Center. Promise · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 2025 Warren Buffett received an education at three universities. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 2025 Berkshire's insurance operations are not dependent on reinsurers. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 2025 Buffett said he expects that Greg and his eventual successors will hold Berkshire's Japanese position for many decades, and that Berkshire will find other ways to work productively with the five companies in the future. Prediction · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 2025 When buying Forest River, Warren Buffett asked Pete Liegl what his compensation should be and said he would accept whatever Liegl named. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 2025 Over time Berkshire's ownership stake in all five Japanese companies will likely increase somewhat. Prediction · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Mostly true Factual 2025 Becky Quick and her CNBC crew transmit Berkshire's meetings worldwide and archive much Berkshire-related material. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 2025 Greg Abel has met many times with the managements of the five Japanese trading companies, and Buffett regularly follows their progress. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 2025 Carrie, whose grandfather was Bill Kizer, Sr., refused any payment for her extensive work on the new "Charlie" edition. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not yet due Prediction 2025 Greg Abel will soon replace Warren Buffett, aged 94, as Berkshire CEO and will write the annual letters. Prediction · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Promise 2025 Berkshire's 2025 annual meeting will have no movie and will convene earlier, at 8 a.m. Promise · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 2025 In 2024 Berkshire made four payments to the IRS totaling $26.8 billion. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Guidance 2025 Berkshire expects 2025 dividend income from its Japanese investments of about $812 million, against interest cost on its yen-denominated debt of about $135 million. Guidance · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 2025 In 2024, 53% of Berkshire's 189 operating businesses reported a decline in earnings, yet Berkshire did better than Buffett expected. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 2025 Berkshire's insurance float is likely to grow a bit over time and, with intelligent underwriting and some luck, has a reasonable prospect of being costless. Prediction · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 5 May 2024 The donor's scholarship program may end up supporting 150 students. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 There have been times in Buffett's investing life when he had so many opportunities he could have invested everything by nightfall. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Prediction 5 May 2024 Buffett said he thought that, with present US fiscal policies, something has to give and higher taxes are quite likely. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 The meeting bookstore normally carries about 25 books, and Buffett said he thought about 2,400 copies of Poor Charlie's Almanack (fourth edition) were sold the day before. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 5 May 2024 Utah is very likely to treat Berkshire Hathaway Energy fairly on utility rates or compensation if it moves to public power. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett said he thinks the number of Berkshire shareholders across the US who have given $100 million or more to local charities is many multiples of that of any other US public company. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Warren Buffett alone made the decision for Berkshire to sell its Paramount stake, with no involvement from Ted Weschler or Todd Combs. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 5 May 2024 Buffett said he did not know, but his best speculation was that US debt will remain acceptable for a very long time because there is not much alternative. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett receives very few calls from Berkshire's operating managers, close to zero. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Warren Buffett said he thinks he read Ben Graham's book about five or six times. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 5 May 2024 If anything happened to Buffett, Berkshire would be working extremely well the next day. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 In 2008 people did have money but were paralyzed and unwilling to act. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 Charlie Munger understood the importance of psychology, human behavior and incentives very early. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not yet due Prediction 5 May 2024 The next major financial crisis will occur within a century, though timing is unknown. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not yet due Prediction 5 May 2024 Over the next century no company will be dramatically better than others in returns. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Prediction 5 May 2024 With a million dollars, an investor who studies small companies could earn 50% a year. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Prediction 5 May 2024 Buffett said he did not think "we" would end up with a better system, speaking in the context of Berkshire's real estate brokerage business. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Resolved true Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett said he was responsible for the purchase and for the operation until Greg Abel took over. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 5 May 2024 Buffett, who said he does not really know anything about AI, said it will affect anything labor-intensive and can create an enormous amount of leisure time. Prediction · 5 May 2024 AI, the economy and work
Resolved false Promise 5 May 2024 Poor Charlie's Almanack will be the only book at the Berkshire meeting bookstore next year. Promise · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 5 May 2024 Solar will never be the only source of electricity, barring real breakthroughs in storage. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Technology
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 A significant number of Berkshire shareholders across the US have given $100 million or more to local charities. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Mostly true Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett first went to GEICO in 1950. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett turned handling of the real estate brokerage settlement over 100% to Craig (Berkshire HomeServices), who kept him informed. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett read through the Moody's Transportation Manual a couple of times when he was about 20 or 21. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Mostly true Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett said that the previous year he had said that developing nuclear weapons let a genie out of the bottle, and that the genie has been doing terrible things lately. Factual · 5 May 2024 Other global risks
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett kept Berkshire in the textile business as long as he did partly because he liked Ken Chase, who ran it. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 A great many Berkshire shareholders make large charitable gifts anonymously. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett does not get phone calls from Berkshire's operating managers. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 5 May 2024 Bill Gates is working on batteries that last longer. Factual · 5 May 2024 Technology
Not yet due Prediction 5 May 2024 Berkshire's CEO succession is settled for the next 20 years unless something untoward happens. Prediction · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire has not historically been very tough on managers who coasted. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire needed Disney's approval to use the Desperate Housewives actresses in its meeting movie, and the approval was easily obtained. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 When Buffett was born in 1930 the world population was essentially 2 billion; it is now 8 billion. Factual · 5 May 2024 Other
Own records only Factual 4 May 2024 Berkshire's operating executives overwhelmingly prefer to talk to Greg Abel and Ajit Jain rather than to Buffett. Factual · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 If anything happened to Buffett, Berkshire would work extremely well the next day. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 The electric utility industry will never be nearly as good a business as the other kinds of businesses Berkshire owns. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Mostly true Factual 4 May 2024 Berkshire has created an insurance structure that did not exist when Ajit Jain joined in 1986. Factual · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not yet due Prediction 4 May 2024 The business he described will still be around 100 years from now. It will not be the best growth business in the world in that period, but it will be essential. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 4 May 2024 On 4 May 2024, Buffett said it had been reported to him that See's Candy set a new record. Factual · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 Buffett said that Greg will do something about a problem he described, which he said he and Charlie would not have acted on, not because they did not know it should be done but because they were doing so well themselves. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Mostly true Factual 4 May 2024 Buffett said Berkshire offered a solution within a couple of days to something in Canada that was getting close to the brink. Factual · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 Buffett said he thought that if Utah moved to public power, it would compensate Berkshire fairly. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 Saying that he does not really know anything about AI, Buffett suggested that AI will affect anything that is labor-intensive and that it can create an enormous amount of leisure time. Prediction · 4 May 2024 AI, the economy and work
Unresolvable Factual 4 May 2024 A significant number of Berkshire shareholders across the US have contributed $100 million or more to local charities, usually anonymously. Factual · 4 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Not yet due Prediction 4 May 2024 Buffett says Berkshire's CEO succession problem is solved for the next 20 years unless something untoward happens. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 4 May 2024 Berkshire has not historically been very tough on managers who coasted. Factual · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Prediction 4 May 2024 Apple will very likely still be Berkshire's largest common stock holding at the end of 2024, despite Berkshire having sold some shares. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Mostly true Prediction 4 May 2024 Buffett said he feels very comfortable that the post-Buffett decision will be made by Berkshire's board, which he said has loads of brainpower and a dedication to an unusual institution and will figure things out. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 Buffett says it may end up being 150 people who are able to pursue different lives. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Unresolvable Factual 4 May 2024 The US federal corporate tax rate was 35% not long ago and has been 52% in the past during Buffett's career. Factual · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 4 May 2024 Buffett says he thinks charitable giving by Berkshire shareholders to local charities is many multiples of that by shareholders of any other US public company. Factual · 4 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Own records only Factual 4 May 2024 Warren Buffett said he thinks he read Ben Graham's book about five or six times. Factual · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 Utah is very likely to treat Berkshire's utility business fairly, including on granting appropriate rates. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 Buffett said he did not know, but his best speculation was that US government debt will remain acceptable for a very long time because there is not much alternative. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 4 May 2024 Buffett says a figure he discusses alongside driving, which was about seven or six after World War II, has come down to under two, and he credits Ralph Nader with the decline; he does not state what the figure measures or its unit. Factual · 4 May 2024 Technology
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 No company will be dramatically better than others in returns over the next century. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Resolved true Factual 4 May 2024 Buffett said he had seen an image of himself, with his voice and wearing the kind of clothes he wears, delivering a message that did not come from him [E1][E2]. Factual · 4 May 2024 AI capabilities
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 Given present US fiscal policies, higher taxes are quite likely in the future. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 Someone will invest hundreds of billions, perhaps trillions, of dollars in electric power, via public power or private enterprise. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Prediction 4 May 2024 Solar will never be the only source of electricity, barring real breakthroughs in energy storage. Prediction · 4 May 2024 Technology
Unresolvable Prediction 15 Dec 2020 Buffett said Carla Walker-Miller needs help and will make the most of it, and guaranteed that she will be a success and will employ lots more people in future than she does now. Prediction · 15 Dec 2020 Economics and markets
Mixed Factual 15 Dec 2020 Big businesses have generally done very well, with travel and entertainment mentioned in a way the quote leaves unclear, though they still have difficulties. Factual · 15 Dec 2020 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Prediction 15 Dec 2020 Business at restaurants, gyms and similar venues hit by pandemic fears will come back. Prediction · 15 Dec 2020 Economics and markets
Resolved true Factual 15 Dec 2020 The pandemic-induced recession has shut down many people's businesses while others are prospering. Factual · 15 Dec 2020 Economics and markets
Resolved true Factual 15 Dec 2020 Buffett said he attended the first graduation of the Small Business Program, which he credited to Goldman Sachs, at LaGuardia Community College about 10 years before he spoke in December 2020. Factual · 15 Dec 2020 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 15 Dec 2020 Michael Porter helped develop the curriculum of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Factual · 15 Dec 2020 Economics and markets
Own records only Factual 15 Dec 2020 Buffett said he has met many small business people through "the Goldman Sachs program." Factual · 15 Dec 2020 Economics and markets
Mostly true Factual 15 Dec 2020 Large food manufacturers have done terrifically during the pandemic. Factual · 15 Dec 2020 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 15 Dec 2020 Buffett graduated from two universities and attended neither graduation ceremony. Factual · 15 Dec 2020 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Prediction 15 Dec 2020 there will be fraud connected with it Prediction · 15 Dec 2020 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 15 Dec 2020 The company Mrs. B started at the Furniture Mart now employs probably 10,000 people. Factual · 15 Dec 2020 Their own work or organisation
Back to the list

Prediction AI, the economy and work

“anything that’s labor-intensive and that it can create an enormous amount of leisure time.”

Warren Buffett, answering shareholders 5 May 2024 Transcript: Berkshire's 2024 annual shareholder meeting (Steady Compounding)

Buffett, who said he does not really know anything about AI, said it will affect anything labor-intensive and can create an enormous amount of leisure time.

Unresolvable The public record could not settle it.

Reasoning

Vague prediction with no horizon about AI creating enormous leisure time.

Cite this claim

Warren Buffett, “Buffett, who said he does not really know anything about AI, said it will affect anything labor-intensive and can create an enormous amount of leisure time.” (said 5 May 2024). Verdict: unresolvable. Reliability API, claim c_8d825910308e, method 0.1.0+28da144b. https://epistacklabs.com/claims/c_8d825910308e

Claims without a verdict

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