

#141 – Erik Brynjolfsson: Economics of AI, Social Networks, and Technology
5 snips Nov 25, 2020
Erik Brynjolfsson, a Stanford economist and director of the Digital Economy Lab, dives into the fascinating economics of AI and technology's societal impacts. He discusses exponential growth, emphasizing how it's reshaping our future and the disconnect between human perception and technological pace. The conversation also tackles autonomous vehicles, the evolving landscape of digital media revenue, and the responsibilities of tech developers in combating misinformation. Brynjolfsson shares insights on the future of work and income inequality, stressing the balance between innovation and human involvement.
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Exponential Growth and Intuition
- Exponential growth is counterintuitive because our brains are wired for linear thinking.
- Digital technologies are making the world increasingly exponential, challenging our intuitions.
Early COVID-19 Concerns
- Erik Brynjolfsson was concerned about COVID-19's exponential growth early on.
- He wore a mask on a plane in early March, prompting a flight attendant to ask if he had an anxiety disorder.
Moore's Law and Innovation
- Moore's Law, driven by stacked S-curves, illustrates successive technological revolutions.
- Economic incentives push resources towards improving bottlenecks, driving innovation.