DATAGROW- Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Growth

ABSTRACT:

Recent progress in artificial intelligence (A.I.) and robotics is transforming our economies. Firms invest in A.I. and robotics in order to raise their productivity and grow. At the same time, many people worry that advances in A.I. will be associated with large-scale job losses, and call for policy efforts to address the consequences of technological change. Despite the importance of these debates, we know little about the economic impact of the development of artificial intelligence and robotics. In this project, I propose to exploit unique micro data on A.I. and robotics adoption at the firm level in order to advance the field of knowledge on the following two research questions: (i) What are the effects of robotics on individual workers’ careers? (ii) What are the effects of A.I. on firms’ labor demand and aggregate employment?
I will answer the above research questions in three intertwined projects. Project A provides micro evidence on the impact of robotics on individual workers’ outcomes. Project B and C generate the first comprehensive evidence on the effect of A.I. technologies on firms’ labor demand, and aggregate employment. This research has important policy implications for governments, because it will measure the economic effects of artificial intelligence technologies and robots adoption, and it will provide a better understanding of the channels through which artificial intelligence and robotisation impact workers’ careers.