IMF Podcasts

Behavioral economist Ulrike Malmendier discusses how past experiences shape financial decisions, linking upbringing on opposite sides of the Berlin Wall to investment behaviors. Insights on overconfidence in CEOs and the impact of personal experiences on economic models and inequality.

Countless resources and billions of dollars have been directed at poverty alleviation over the decades and yet almost 10 percent of the world’s population is still struggling to survive... not only in developing countries but in rich countries too. Why do so many anti-poverty efforts fall short? Martin Kalisa says there is more to poverty than income, and poor people can help design projects that are more likely to succeed. Kalisa is the Deputy Director of ATD Fourth World, an anti-poverty organization that builds research teams that include poor people to better understand their needs. Kalisa took part in a conference on the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty hosted by the World Bank and the IMF. Transcript: https://bit.ly/4a3Hcra

Industrial policy had its heyday in the 1950s and 60s when governments moved to boost national competitiveness amid burgeoning global trade. Economists have been predicting the return of industrial policy of late- and there’s no question it’s back, but what does today’s industrial policy look like? Michele Ruta is a trade expert at the IMF, and along with some colleagues compiled a new dataset that shows the extent to which new industrial policies are being used and what their real impact might be on the global economy. Transcript: https://bit.ly/49LjmQW Check out the IMF’s global trade webpage: IMF.org/en/Topics/Trade

Productivity has been the driving force behind the five- sometimes six-day workweek, but there is a growing body of evidence that shows a shorter week is equally, if not more productive in many respects. Juliet Schor is a champion of the four-day week and led the charge in the early 90s with her book The Overworked American, which studies the pitfalls of choosing money over time. Schor is an economist and sociologist at Boston College and heads the research for global trials of companies instituting four-day workweeks. Journalist Rhoda Metcalfe spoke with Juliet Schor about her four-day week mission, as part of our special Women in Economics series.  Transcript: https://bit.ly/3SHgPRR

Behind any good policy stands good data. And as the global economy becomes increasingly digitalized, effective policy and regulation are critical to ensure a stable and equitable financial system. Jim Tebrake is Deputy Director and heads the data and methodology efforts in the IMF Statistics Department. In this podcast, Tebrake says the world of digital money is changing quickly and statisticians should be prepared to provide the data that policymakers need to respond effectively.  Transcript: https://bit.ly/3Su8pgA Check out the latest IMF Statistical Forum at IMF.org

Stephanie Bell, Senior Research Scientist at the Partnership for AI, discusses the need for guidelines in AI development. Topics include economic inequality, democracy, labor conditions, and biases in AI. Bell emphasizes international collaboration and inclusion of lower and middle-income countries.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work and for many it’s scary. But for teachers in India’s million-plus schools, AI is a welcome partner in solving the learning poverty problem. Shankar Maruwada is the Co-founder and CEO of EkStep Foundation, which develops AI to help improve the public education system. In this podcast, Maruwada and journalist Rhoda Metcalfe discuss how AI can close the literacy gap. Transcript: https://bit.ly/3RNAZJy Read  Unlocking India’s Potential With AI  in a special AI edition of Finance and Development Magazine at IMF.org/fandd

AI's transformative impact on jobs and wages is discussed by IMF experts Andrew Berg and Maryam Vaziri. They explore the inequality problems caused by AI and the need for a fair distribution of its benefits. The podcast delves into the disruption of the labor market, concentration of power in AI corporations, and the challenges society faces in adapting to the rapid advancement of AI technology.

Daniel Susskind, an expert in AI and labor, discusses the impact of AI on professions like law and medicine, the challenges and opportunities of a world with less work, the role of labor leaders and unions in technology, and choosing a career path in the era of AI.

Examining challenges faced by countries in achieving climate goals, trade-offs between climate ambitions, fiscal sustainability, and political feasibility. Significance of carbon pricing as efficient instrument, revenue generation potential, and successful examples. Role of international forums in building global consensus on carbon pricing and progress made. Mention of Rafael Lam and Christine Richmond's work in IMF's fiscal affairs department and promotion of latest fiscal monitor publication and other IMF podcasts.