Erik Brynjolfsson

P.S. in the case of arithmetic, we did once have a profession called “computers” that did that job.

Now that word no longer refers to a profession but to a machine

4/3

These challenges with AI proofing test-taking are canaries in the mine of bigger changes coming in the profession.

Switching to in person testing is a temporary Band-Aid not a lasting way to address the underlying challenges

3/3

For instance, we no longer teach taking square roots by hand in schools or calculating OLS regressions by hand in universities because computers now do those.

Instead, we focus on understanding the underlying concepts.

Likewise, the field of accounting needs to radically change.

2/3

To be sure, I didn’t call for eliminating teaching all activities that AI can also do.

You’re correct that using and evaluating AI’s capabilities are increasingly important skills. That can require *deeper* understanding.

But, in turn that’s a sign it requires rethinking teaching and work.

1/3

Snapshot of ASSA 2026 conference schedule for “AI and Productivity: Is this time different?” Saturday Jan 3 at 2:30-4:30, Marriott Grand Ballroom Salon E

Excited to be in Philly for the #ASSA2026 meetings! Presenting tomorrow on AI adoption and the Productivity J-Curve. Cool session on whether “This time is different” when it comes to AI and productivity. Plus ca change… #Econsky

Actual footage of an AI researcher encountering emergent behavior for the first time..:

Here's a very thoughtful thread between where one of world's top energy and climate experts, @jgkoomey.bsky.social responds to one of the other top energy and climate experts @ramez.bsky.social .

Both the content and the tone are illuminating.

Centaurs, Canaries and J-Curves: Pitfalls and Productivity Potential of AI The lack of gains in productivity from AI could stall adoption and burst the economic bubble. Is there a rational explanation?

Newsweek just published a wonderful discussion of my research on the economic implications of AI.

I'm grateful to Marcus Weldon for being to thoughtful and thorough.

www.newsweek.com/nw-ai/centau...

📢 This just in: Round 2 of "The Digitalist Papers," a deep dive into the economics of #AI from @erikbryn.bsky.social's @stanforddel.bsky.social. Essays from SIEPR's Susan Athey and Ramin Toloui, among others. Link below.

@erikbryn.bsky.social warns of a dangerous asymmetry:
We pour billions into capabilities, but pennies into understanding their economic, social, and geopolitical effects.
Goal of the Digitalist Papers + @stanforddel.bsky.social is to close this gap.

With the cost of LiDAR plummeting, Waymo's bet to use it in their autonomous cars is looking smarter and smarter.

They *said* that and they kept saying it for years after it stopped being true.

Community college enrollment has been declining since 2009/10. The optimal policy response to this depends on the root of this decline.

I'm thrilled @nber.org today released my working paper with Harvard PhD Joe Winkelmann titled:

"Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment"

I enjoyed my conversation with @tejparikh.ft.com about how AI can amplify and extend human capabilities, rather than merely imitate and replace them.

See
www.ft.com/content/1e5e...

Is human imitation the right goal for technology? Erik Brynjolfsson, Stanford academic and author, explains how AI and people can complement each other

Here's a working link:
www.ft.com/content/1e5e...

AI robots speed up installation of 500,000 solar panels in Australia ENGIE has trialed AI-powered robots at its 250 megawatt solar farm designed to provide renewable energy for 105,000 households.

Down under, AI-powered robots are installing solar panels.
2/11
interestingengineering.com/energy/robot...

YouTube video by Stanford Digital Economy Lab Canaries in the Coal Mine? Six Facts about the Recent Employment Effects of Artificial Intelligence

Our "Canaries in the Coal Mine?" seminar is now available!

Watch Bharat Chandar and Ruyu Chen break down their landmark research on AI's impact on employment: youtu.be/tqYo-dfL1go

Electric vehicle adoption reduces air pollution and improves infant health, lowering rates of very low birth weight, prematurity, and child asthma, from Cavit Baran, Janet Currie, Bahadir Dursun, and Erdal Tekin https://www.nber.org/papers/w34278

Lots of ideas in this proposed research agenda for economists thinking about the effects of #AI on the #economy, including implications for #innovation and #geoeconomics. Courtesy of
@erikbryn.bsky.social, @akorinek.bsky.social and Ajay Agrawal.
tinyurl.com/ycxjx4ah

The Gap Between AI Capabilities and Their Use in the Workplace Insights from Stanford's Erik Brynjolfsson.

Shameless self-promotion alert: Director @erikbryn.bsky.social spoke with Time about how AI is–and isn’t–transforming the workplace.
5/10
time.com/charter/7316...

💭When AI automates, firms may prefer to avoid hiring new entrants than to let existing staff go 🤔

My take on @erikbryn.bsky.social & @stanfordhai.bsky.social's finding that younger workers are hit hardest by AI

#AIandWork #FutureOfWork
🔗 bit.ly/4nl6G9W

Trump Deals A New Immigration Blow To International Students Trump officials have proposed a new rule limiting international students to fixed periods of entry, making a U.S. education more precarious.

Trump officials will limit intl. students to 4 years (median to finish PhD: 5.7 years). The justification? DHS claims to protect national security it hopes a threat files an extension after 4 years so USCIS reviews their application. @mclem.org @erikbryn.bsky.social‬
www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...

Canaries in the Coal Mine? Six Facts about the Recent Employment Effects of Artificial Intelligence This paper examines changes in the labor market for occupations exposed to generative artificial intelligence using high-frequency administrative data from ADP, the largest payroll software provider i...

✍️The Lab has released a NEW STUDY with some of the first large-scale evidence of AI’s impact on entry-level employment!

Lab Director @erikbryn.bsky.social, Ruyu Chen & Bharat Chandar used @ADP data to reveal 6 key facts about AI's labor market impact: digitaleconomy.stanford.edu/publications...

Why there isn’t there more discussion about accelerating the adoption of autonomous cars?

There were about 40,000 Americans killed in car crashes last year.

A recent study found Waymo experienced 92% fewer injury crashes with pedestrians and 85% fewer suspected serious injury crashes overall.

An AI expert on the future of our workforce Are policymakers profoundly underestimating the impacts of AI on the workforce? NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Erik Brynjolfsson of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI.

“We are investing so much in driving the capabilities for hundreds of billions of dollars, and we're investing very little in thinking about how we make sure that leads to widely shared prosperity,” says HAI Senior Fellow @erikbryn.bsky.social in @npr.org Morning Edition: www.npr.org/2025/08/05/n...

What if You Can’t Believe the Official Numbers?

Lab Director @erikbryn.bsky.social spoke with @nytimes.com's Larry Sommer about tracking labor statistics -- read his thoughts at the link!

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/b...

A statement from the Royal Statistical Society on the dismissal of the Commissioner of Labor Statis

Following the dismissal of Erika McEntarfer as US Commissioner of Labor Statistics, we've released a statement of concern.

At a time of global economic uncertainty, we stress the importance of the independence of statistical institutions and the protection of the integrity of official statistics.

An AI expert on the future of our workforce Are policymakers profoundly underestimating the impacts of AI on the workforce? NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Erik Brynjolfsson of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI.

"We are investing so much in driving the capabilities for hundreds of billions of dollars, and we're investing very little in ensuring that leads to widely shared prosperity."

Director @erikbryn.bsky.social discussed AI and future of work with @npr.org's Steve Inskeep.

www.npr.org/2025/08/05/n...

An AI expert on the future of our workforce Are policymakers profoundly underestimating the impacts of AI on the workforce? NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Erik Brynjolfsson of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI.

Lovely interview by @npr.org's @steveinskeep.bsky.social with @stanfordhai.bsky.social's @erikbryn.bsky.social on #AI & the future of work! 🎧 There is also featured nugget in there from @petebuttigieg.bsky.social! 🫶
www.npr.org/2025/08/05/n...