Susan Athey

In this insightful discussion, Susan Athey, a Professor of Economics of Technology at Stanford, unpacks the transformative power of AI in the workforce. She addresses the duality of AI's impact—highlighting potential job losses alongside new opportunities for growth. Athey emphasizes the need for responsible AI policies to navigate systemic risks and social inequalities. Plus, she explores how AI can enhance productivity in healthcare and education, advocating for human oversight to maximize its benefits while alleviating public skepticism.

In this engaging dialogue, Susan Athey, a Professor at Stanford and chief economist at the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, tackles pressing global issues using economic insights. She shares her journey transitioning from academia to tech, highlighting partnerships that promote innovation. The conversation dives into vaccine production and the role of advanced commitments, alongside discussions on navigating carbon markets and data privacy. Plus, Susan recounts a daring chicken rescue from a coyote, showcasing her adventurous side!

Fei-Fei Li, a champion of human-centered AI, discusses how AI can enhance creativity rather than replace jobs. Economist Susan Athey highlights that AI and coding tools are general-purpose technologies that can create bottlenecks in implementation. Neale Mahoney warns of a 'veil of ignorance' regarding job displacement and advocates for proactive safety nets. The trio stresses the importance of aligning innovation with human skills and calls for balanced AI policies to ensure broader access and foster optimism about the future.

Susan Athey, a professor at Stanford's Graduate School of Business and an expert in human-centered AI, shares her innovative research on using machine learning to enhance behavioral nudges for college students. She discusses strategies to ensure timely completion of federal financial aid forms, addressing the demographics behind procrastination. Athey delves into the challenges of applying machine learning in clinical trials and the significance of Medicaid eligibility on health outcomes. She also highlights the need for AI to address healthcare consolidation and improve patient access.

Susan Athey, a professor of Economics of Technology at Stanford, dives into the future of work amidst rampant technological change. She explores insights from a study on 22,000 Swedish workers, revealing who bounces back after layoffs. Athey discusses how small design tweaks can lead to significant societal shifts. The conversation also touches on AI's transformative potential in hiring and healthcare, emphasizing the importance of supportive policies to ensure technology benefits all workers and minimizes social disparities.