OpenAI Unveils Platform to Scrutinize the Economic Impact of AI

OpenAI recently announced the launch of the Economic Research Exchange, a new platform dedicated to the in-depth study of the economic impacts of artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative aims to support rigorous external research by providing a structured framework for analyzing the transformations induced by AI across various sectors.

AI is reshaping the landscape of work, businesses, and idea generation. To understand these changes, OpenAI emphasizes the need for empirical research based on concrete evidence rather than anecdotes. The Economic Research Exchange will enable a broader community of researchers to conduct collaborative studies with OpenAI, in order to produce credible and independent evidence on the impact of AI on workers, businesses, and the economy at large.

Proposed research projects must address key questions regarding the economic impacts of AI. Proposals should demonstrate how the regulated and privacy-respecting use of OpenAI tools can help answer these questions. The goal is to promote rigorous research that goes beyond traditional datasets while ensuring user privacy and responsible data use.

Selected researchers will need to undertake well-defined projects, with clear milestones, data governance, and review processes. OpenAI invites proposals from researchers with strong expertise in applied causal inference, measurement, labor economics, productivity, business, education, entrepreneurship, public finance, regional economics, development, inequality, or related fields.

This initiative is part of OpenAI's broader efforts to improve the measurement of AI's economic effects, notably through OpenAI Signals. By supporting a portfolio of external research collaborations, OpenAI hopes to expand the evidence base available to researchers, policymakers, businesses, and the public as they navigate a period of rapid technological change.

Proposals will be evaluated based on their methodological rigor, feasibility, alignment with the Exchange's priorities, clarity of milestones, and potential to contribute to credible evidence on the economic impacts of AI. Applications are open and will close on July 5, 2026, with notifications to selected researchers expected by July 31, 2026. For more information, interested parties can consult the Request for Proposals or contact econresearch@openai.com.