MIT Stone Center on Inequality & Shaping Work

Will AI replace workers en masse? @baselinescene argues that it doesn't have to — but we must fill a critical gap in AI development and investment today. AI companies & business leaders are heavily focused on replacing workers, rather than increasing the demand for human skills.

Whose work most influenced you? Institute Professor of Economics at MIT and Nobel Prize winner, Daron Acemoglu, answers this question on a special episode. Hear from many of today’s leading social and behavioral scientists now: ow.ly/qPlY50ZlwXL

When companies rush to automate work, are they missing out on an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage? A more transformative use of AI could be expanding the capabilities of their human workforce. @MITSloan mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-…

As the USA approaches its 250th birthday, Gary Gensler and I take a look back at history — and consider what's next. How will AI, this era’s transformative technology, affect society and inequalities? Listen here: powerandconsequences.com/p/episode-18-h…

How could public policy facilitate pro-worker AI? Co-director @davidautor explains how the government could shape AI adoption in the healthcare and education sectors to complement workers.

Our Policy and Research Manager Julia Regier was interviewed on the Inclusion Geeks podcast, discussing the latest research on wage inequality for non-college workers, the pitfalls of “so-so automation,” and what it would take to achieve pro-worker AI. inclusiongeeks.com/podcasts/ai-po…

Dear followers, Please see this new article from @MITSloan on pro-worker AI, which draws from my recent paper with David Autor and Simon Johnson for @BrookingsInst mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-…

Pro-worker AI, explained @MITSloan just published this excellent article on my recent paper with @DAcemogluMIT and @davidautor on building pro-worker AI. The priority: finding new ways to expand human capabilities across levels of education and skill mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-…

Why isn't the market pursuing pro-worker AI? Co-director @DAcemogluMIT explains that the reasons are both economic and ideological.

My @ProSyn #InsiderInterview with Philippe Aghion is now freely available here: project-syndicate.org/onpoint/europe… We discuss creative destruction and competition, reviving European dynamism, China, AI, and more

“The current view is that somehow agents are going to do a lot of the work and we just need to supervise them,” @MITEcon professor @DAcemogluMIT told @nytimes. He joined an expert panel to discuss the future of work in the AI age. nytimes.com/2026/06/09/mag… @MITshapingwork

🎉 We congratulate co-director @baselinescene for being named chair of the UK's AI Economics Institute. Under his leadership, the Institute will build the data infrastructure to assess AI's economic impacts and inform policymakers. gov.uk/government/pub…

📅 Apply for our postdoc opening by June 15! @DAcemogluMIT and @baselinescene are recruiting a Postdoctoral Associate at MIT to research the history, social implications, and future of technology. Learn more and apply here: shapingwork.mit.edu/careers/james-…

New technologies do not automatically benefit workers, even when they increase total productivity. The British economy boomed in the early Industrial Revolution, but workers did not reap the benefits. Read more on our Substack, The Work Ahead: mitstonecenter.substack.com/p/what-can-the…

Can AI be expected to behave "responsibly"? In this episode of the Power and Consequences podcast, @baselinescene and Gary Gensler discuss the evolving meaning of "responsible AI" and whether policy can promote both innovation and the public good. powerandconsequences.com/p/episode-13-c…

In the latest episode of their podcast, @baselinescene and Gary Gensler discuss the Chinese economy. What should we expect from President Trump's talks with President Xi later this week? Who will be the world’s most influential country in the years ahead? powerandconsequences.com/p/episode-11-w…

On Wednesday, May 13 from 12-1 PM EST, @baselinescene and other MIT scholars will discuss the new book, "Priority Technologies: Ensuring US Security and Shared Prosperity" at @AEI, moderated by @MichaelRStrain. Register to attend in-person or virtually: aei.org/events/priorit…

We're hiring a postdoc at MIT! The Postdoctoral Associate will work closely with @DAcemogluMIT and @baselinescene to conduct research on the history, social implications and future of technology. Learn more and apply by June 15: shapingwork.mit.edu/careers/james-…

How will AI affect workers with and without a college degree? Co-director @baselinescene explains how AI could change the dynamics of the college wage premium.

The new book "Priority Technologies," with a foreword by co-director @baselinescene, dives deep into six sectors where advances in technology can support national security and create good jobs. news.mit.edu/2026/how-to-ex…