Susan Athey, the Economics of Technology Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business and founding director of the Golub Capital Social Impact Lab, studies the impact of technological innovations on workers, businesses, and society.

Will the world’s economies successfully adapt to a future defined by artificial intelligence? On this episode, Athey shares what the stories of 22,000 laid-off workers in Sweden can tell us about who recovers from economic turmoil, how small design changes and product features can have outsize societal impact, and how AI could transform the way we work, from hiring to healthcare.

What’s the best way to build a future that effectively integrates AI and supports workers? Tell us more at ifthenpod@stanford.edu.

This episode was recorded on December 16, 2024.

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• Susan Athey faculty profile
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• East Brother Light Station

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Modernizing a 150 Year Old Lighthouse
• (00:03:05) - Adapting to Advancing Technology
• (00:04:20) - Impact of Mass Layoffs
• (00:06:16) - Low-Cost Scalable Solutions
• (00:13:37) - AI’s Role in the Future of Work
• (00:19:45) - Managing Transitions in the Job Market

If/Then is a podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business that examines research findings that can help us navigate the complex issues we face in business, leadership, and society. Each episode features an interview with a Stanford GSB faculty member.

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