The Importance of Technology in the Economic Profession

In his new book, "Power and Progress: Our 1000-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity", renowned MIT Professor of Economics Daron Acemoglu (with co-author Simon Johnson) argues that the benefits from technological progress are shaped by the distribution of power in society. 

In this episode, Acemoglu joins Bethany and Luigi to discuss the key challenges of ensuring that this progress benefits everyone, not just the wealthy and powerful. They discuss the rules, norms, and expectations around technology governance, the unintended consequences of AI development, and how the mismanagement of property rights, especially over data, can reinforce inequality and exploitation.

Show Notes:

• In case you missed it, revisit our recent episode with David Autor, referenced in this discussion
• Revisit "Democracy and Economic Growth: New Evidence," co-authored by Daron Acemoglu, on ProMarket