David Autor

David Autor, an MIT economics professor, and James Suzman, an anthropologist and author, explore the transformation of work in modern society. They discuss how 60% of today's jobs didn't exist in 1940, emphasizing the impact of automation and AI on traditional roles. Suzman shares insights from hunter-gatherer societies, contrasting their egalitarian practices with today's challenges in job satisfaction and stability. Together, they envision the future of work, considering how technology will shape employment and the nature of labor itself.

David Autor, a Ford Professor of Economics at MIT and co-director of the Work of the Future Task Force, shares insights on AI's transformative role in labor markets. He draws parallels between the China Shock and AI impact, emphasizing how AI can amplify expertise and improve decision-making. Autor discusses the potential of AI to enhance middle-class jobs and ensures upward mobility in the workplace. He advocates for adapting education to prepare for an AI-driven future, highlighting the balance between automation and collaboration.

David Autor, an MIT economist focused on labor markets, James Rosenman, CEO at Andrus on Hudson specializing in senior care robots, and Karen Eggleston, a Stanford economist researching robotic healthcare solutions in Asia, discuss the evolving role of robots in the workforce. They explore the balance between job displacement and the creation of new opportunities, the integration of cobots in nursing homes to enhance patient care, and the global perspectives on technological adaptation, particularly in Japan’s aging care landscape.

David Autor, an MIT economics professor and co-director of the Shaping the Future of Work initiative, discusses the dual narratives of AI's impact on jobs. He argues that AI can actually uplift the middle class by democratizing access to skilled jobs and boosting productivity. Autor highlights how past technological advancements have shaped inequality but believes AI represents a new frontier. He also emphasizes the importance of investing in education and healthcare to harness AI’s potential for positive societal change.

David Autor, a prominent MIT economics professor and expert on job automation, joins Martin Wolf to discuss the aftermath of China's entry into the World Trade Organization. They explore the 'China shock' and its devastating impact on U.S. jobs, questioning the feasibility of revitalizing manufacturing. The conversation shifts to the looming challenge of AI, highlighting its potential to disrupt the job market while also enhancing productivity. Autor emphasizes the need for strategic policies to ensure AI fosters new opportunities, particularly in education and healthcare.

David Autor, a renowned Professor of Economics at MIT, shares his insights on AI's profound impact on the labor market. He emphasizes that AI isn't just a tool; it requires a nuanced approach to be effective. Autor discusses the potential for job displacement versus new opportunities, particularly in nursing and skilled trades. He highlights the importance of historical context and human agency in shaping AI’s impact, as well as the need to bridge the gender gap in AI usage to ensure equal access and representation in technology.

David Autor, a renowned MIT professor specializing in labor economics, dives deep into the significant effects of technology and AI on American workers. He discusses the rise of income inequality since the late 1970s and the crucial role education plays in this issue. Autor also explores AI's potential to reshape job roles and empower the middle class, arguing that it can democratize access to skilled work. With insight into the intersection of labor markets and technology, he provides a compelling look at future trends affecting workers.

David Autor, an MIT economist known for his insights on AI's impact on jobs, discusses the dual nature of automation in the workplace. He explores how AI can displace jobs while also creating high-skill opportunities, emphasizing the evolving value of expertise. Autor highlights the importance of understanding dynamic expertise in a labor market reshaped by technology. He advocates for AI systems that enhance collaboration with skilled professionals and offers a framework for measuring job expertise, addressing both challenges and potential benefits of the future of work.

On this episode, our hosts Bethany McLean and Luigi Zingales sit down with renowned MIT economist David Autor to discuss the impact of technology, labor markets, and immigration on wage inequality and the economy at large. Autor is best known for his work on the "China Shock," the impact of rising Chinese exports on manufacturing employment in the United States and Europe after China's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001. His most recent work sheds light on which groups have seen the largest nominal wage gains during the COVID recovery, the connections between wage growth and inflation, and more. Autor discusses how advances in technology have disrupted traditional labor markets, how to make better policy choices about the future of work, and the challenges and benefits of immigration in a globalized economy.Show Notes:Revisit our conversation with R. Glenn Hubbard, which is referenced in the interview with David AutorRead the Autor's paper discussed in the episode here.

David Autor, economics professor at MIT, is widely regarded as one of the top labor economists in the world. Preet and Autor discuss what artificial intelligence tools will mean for jobs, and how technological innovations have impacted the labor market from the Industrial revolution until today.Plus, a U.S. Attorney resigns after investigations by multiple federal watchdog agencies found evidence of ethics violations.Don’t miss the Insider bonus, where Preet and Autor discuss the value of engineering as a profession in the age of AI. To listen, try the membership for just $1 for one month: cafe.com/insider.For show notes and a transcript of the episode head to: https://cafe.com/stay-tuned/is-ai-coming-for-our-jobs-with-david-autor/Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with the hashtag #AskPreet, email us your questions and comments at staytuned@cafe.com, or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices