Google and MIT: AI Forum for the Economy in Washington

A Forum for the Future of Economic AI

In Washington D.C., an unprecedented gathering is taking place to explore the implications of artificial intelligence on the economy and employment. This inaugural AI Forum for the Economy, co-organized with MIT FutureTech, is based on a central idea: the benefits and risks of AI are not predetermined. The impact of this technology on our lives and economy depends on our collective ability to shape it. To fully realize the economic potential of AI, it is imperative to forge new partnerships among businesses, workers, governments, researchers, and other stakeholders. At this event, economists, industry leaders, policymakers, and experts come together to share knowledge, identify current gaps, and lay the groundwork for sustainable collaboration.

Google, true to its long-standing commitment to positive transition, is today strengthening its efforts in two essential ways. On one hand, the company is investing in research to provide governments, businesses, researchers, and civil society with the necessary information for informed decision-making. On the other hand, it is offering training opportunities to equip individuals with the skills needed to navigate a changing economy.

Google’s Investments in AI Research

Google's AI & Economy research program focuses on addressing crucial questions regarding the impact of AI on the economy and work. This program fosters in-depth collaboration with external experts. The Visiting Fellows program includes renowned economists such as David Autor from MIT, who produce original research. The Digital Futures Project has supported the work of Ben Armstrong and Julia Shah from MIT, exploring how companies can promote the use of AI tools that benefit both workers and businesses. Their research shows that the most significant successes of AI lie in applications that reduce repetitive tasks, foster learning, and encourage collaboration.

To expand these efforts, Google.org is funding a new group of researchers with Google Cloud credits, conducting cutting-edge research on work, organizational productivity, and transformation across various sectors and economies. Google is also supporting a global cohort of research institutions studying the impact of AI on labor markets, sectoral transformations in manufacturing and healthcare, as well as the political environments necessary to maximize workforce opportunities. Furthermore, Google is ramping up its internal research on various topics, ranging from the impact of generative AI on knowledge workers' productivity to the economics of AI agents.

To guide this work, Google relies on the expertise of academic advisors such as Nobel laureate Michael Spence, Dame Diane Coyle from the University of Cambridge, and Mohamed El-Erian, former CEO of PIMCO and professor at the Wharton School.

Training and Opportunities for a Changing Economy

Ensuring access to training and skill development programs is crucial for preparing individuals for a changing world. Google has demonstrated its ability to do this at scale. To date, over 100 million people worldwide have been trained in digital skills, including 13 million in the United States. Google has also designed new programs, such as the Professional Certificate in AI, to help people transition from basic literacy to mastery of AI. The Global AI Opportunities Fund of $120 million aims to make AI education and training accessible in communities around the world.

The transition to AI will require varied approaches to training and education. Therefore, Google is working across sectors on three new programs funded by Google.org:

• In partnership with the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, Google is funding a project to train rural healthcare workers in AI literacy and provide them with practical tools, allowing them to spend more time with patients and improve health outcomes.

• The Apprenticeships Unlocked initiative, led by Jobs for the Future, will mobilize 100 companies to create new apprenticeships in emerging and high-demand sectors across the United States.

• In collaboration with the Manufacturing Institute (MI), Google will equip 40,000 current and future employees in the manufacturing industry with critical AI skills and expand learning opportunities to 15 new regions in the United States.

These initiatives are part of Google’s AI Educators Series, a recent collaboration with ISTE+ASCD to provide Google AI products and comprehensive AI literacy training to all 6 million K12 teachers and higher education faculty in the United States. These new investments are part of Google’s broader AI Works initiative, which encompasses partnerships, training, and investments to ensure that everyone can benefit from technological advancements.

A Strong Foundation for the Future

These efforts build on Google’s foundational investments, including $1 billion to support AI education, workforce training programs, and other educational initiatives in the United States, as well as the tens of billions of dollars invested in American technical infrastructure, research and development, and energy capacity expansion to prepare our economy for AI.

Google is committed to this path because digital tools, including AI, have proven their ability to be engines of economic mobility, helping to level the playing field for businesses and individuals everywhere. Google’s latest annual report on economic impact in the United States contains stories of businesses from every state using technology to grow. However, realizing this potential requires smart governance alongside private investments. That is why Google has recently supported sensible policies to help policymakers understand how AI impacts the economy while preparing and supporting workers during this transition. The proposed legislation will help America prepare for the transition to AI in three key ways: assessing the economic impact of AI, equipping the workforce with AI skills, and encouraging the adoption of AI that empowers workers.

Ultimately, no single entity can manage this change alone. The forum is seen as a crucial step in building the collaboration, partnerships, and understanding necessary to successfully navigate the transition to AI.