Intelligence Briefing
Institute Professor at MIT — the highest faculty honor. Won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (shared with Simon Johnson and James Robinson) for research on how institutions shape economic prosperity. One of the most cited economists alive. Increasingly vocal about AI's potential to worsen inequality. Author of "Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity" (2023) with Simon Johnson, arguing technology only benefits society when deliberately steered by inclusive institutions.
BA, Economics — University of York
MSc, Econometrics and Mathematical Economics — London School of Economics
PhD, Economics — London School of Economics
Operational History
Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for research on institutions and economic prosperity.
awardResearch on AI
Published research on the harms of AI, highlighting its impact on inequality.
researchJohn Bates Clark Medal
Received the John Bates Clark Medal for outstanding contributions to economic thought.
awardJoined MIT
Became a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
careerAGI Position Assessment
Unknown
Skeptical of the AI industry's self-governance. Argues AI is being deployed primarily to automate and surveil workers rather than augment them, concentrating wealth and power. Warns that without strong institutions and regulation, AI will deepen inequality. Says "there are choices that are political, as well as technical, about how we develop AI."
Skeptical of the AI industry's self-governance. Argues AI is being deployed primarily to automate and surveil workers rather than augment them, concentrating wealth and power. Warns that without strong institutions and regulation, AI will deepen inequality. Says "there are choices that are political, as well as technical, about how we develop AI."
Intercepted Communications
“There are choices that are political, as well as technical, about how we develop AI.”
“AI is being deployed primarily to automate and surveil workers rather than augment them.”
“Without strong institutions and regulation, AI will deepen inequality.”
“Technology only benefits society when deliberately steered by inclusive institutions.”
“The relationship between technology and prosperity is complex and requires careful navigation.”
Research Output
Harms of AI
2024NBER
Research on the negative impacts of AI on society.
Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity
2023Discusses the role of technology in economic prosperity.
The Narrow Corridor
2019Explores the relationship between state and society.
Why Nations Fail
2012Influential book on economic institutions.
Known Associates
Simon Johnson
collaboratorCo-author of 'Power and Progress' and frequent collaborator on economic research.
View Dossier →James Robinson
collaboratorCo-author of 'Why Nations Fail' and 'The Narrow Corridor'.
View Dossier →Erik Brynjolfsson
collaboratorCo-author of 'The Turing Trap' and expert in technology and economics.
View Dossier →National Bureau of Economic Research
collaboratorInstitution where he conducts research and publishes findings.
View Dossier →Organizational Affiliations
Current
MIT
Institute Professor
1993 - Present
NBER
Research Associate
2005 - Present
Former
Nobel Foundation
Nobel Prize Winner
2024
Commendations
2024
Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Awarded for research on how institutions shape economic prosperity.
2005
John Bates Clark Medal
American Economic Association
Recognized for outstanding contributions to economic thought.
Source Material
Dossier last updated: 2026-03-04