This Week in Business

The Wharton School
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Sep 26, 2025 • 10min

Monetary Policy Uncertainty and Technology’s Role in Growth

Jeremy Siegel, Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Wharton School and Senior Economist at WisdomTree, discusses the Federal Reserve’s latest rate cuts, divisions within monetary policy, inflation and employment trends, and how artificial intelligence is shaping long-term economic growth and market performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sep 24, 2025 • 10min

Balancing Optimism and Caution in Innovation and Business Strategy

Cait Lamberton, Wharton School Vice Dean and Professor of Marketing, shares her insights on the delicate balance between excitement and caution in adopting AI. She discusses how people often overestimate new technologies and how marketing hype can skew perceptions. Cait draws parallels between today's AI boom and the dot-com era, cautioning against risky investments. She emphasizes the importance of stable business fundamentals and highlights that diversified firms are better equipped to navigate rapid changes, while startups risk peril if they go all-in on AI.
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Sep 19, 2025 • 11min

Understanding AI’s Impact on Productivity, GDP, and Federal Debt

Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model and Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School, explores the potential impacts of artificial intelligence on productivity, GDP, and federal debt, offering data-driven insights that challenge assumptions about AI as a fiscal solution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sep 17, 2025 • 9min

Google Antitrust Ruling, Market Competition, and the Future of Search

Herbert Hovenkamp, Wharton Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, discusses the recent antitrust decision requiring Google to share its search index data, exploring how this ruling may impact market competition, consumer behavior, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of online search. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sep 12, 2025 • 11min

Expanding Retirement Portfolios with Alternative Investment Options

Burcu Esmer, Senior Lecturer in Finance and Academic Director of the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program at the Wharton School, explores the policy, regulatory, and investor considerations surrounding the White House’s proposal to introduce private equity and other alternative assets into 401(k) retirement portfolios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sep 10, 2025 • 11min

Local Regulation and the Future of U.S. Housing Affordability

Joseph Gyourko, Wharton Professor of Real Estate, Finance, and Business Economics and Public Policy, explores 50 years of housing market data, highlighting how local regulation, slowing construction, and regional demand shifts are reshaping affordability across the U.S., particularly in high-growth Sunbelt cities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sep 5, 2025 • 10min

Interest Rates, Labor Trends, and the Future of Monetary Policy

Patrick Harker, former Philadelphia Federal Reserve President, and current Rowan Distinguished Professor at the Wharton School, shares his perspective on interest rates, inflation risks, labor force dynamics, and the critical role of maintaining Fed independence in shaping the U.S. economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sep 3, 2025 • 11min

Monetizing AI Platforms: Freemium Models, Sponsored Bots, and Beyond

Stefano Puntoni, a Wharton Marketing Professor and Co-Director of the Wharton Human AI Research Program, shares insights on the evolving monetization strategies for AI platforms. He discusses the freemium model and its challenges in balancing user attraction and revenue generation. The conversation shifts to sponsored chatbots, exploring their impact on consumer trust. Finally, Puntoni highlights the importance of energy efficiency in ensuring the sustainable future of AI technology.
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Aug 29, 2025 • 10min

Labor Markets, Fed Independence, and Monetary Policy Uncertainty

Jeremy Siegel, Wharton Emeritus Professor of Finance and WisdomTree Chief Economist, shares his perspective on the Federal Reserve’s policy direction, the potential for rate cuts, the impact of tariffs, labor market dynamics, and the critical importance of central bank independence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Aug 27, 2025 • 10min

Back-to-School: Why Early Financial Literacy Matters for Every Generation

David Musto, Wharton Finance Professor and Director of the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance, explores the importance of teaching financial literacy to students, the progress made in recent years, and why early education in personal finance is essential for preparing future citizens and voters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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