Google convened government officials, economists, and industry leaders in Washington D.C. on Tuesday for its inaugural AI for the Economy Forum. The event, co-hosted with MIT FutureTech, focuses on how artificial intelligence will reshape labor markets and the broader global economy.
James Manyika, Google’s Senior Vice President of Research, Technology and Society, stated that the benefits and risks of AI are not automatic. He emphasized that realizing the technology's economic potential requires active coordination between companies, workers, and government regulators.
Research and workforce initiatives
Google announced two primary initiatives during the forum. The company is expanding its commitment to research through the AI & Economy Research Program, which aims to provide data to policymakers and civil society organizations. The program includes a Visiting Fellows initiative that brings academic experts, such as MIT’s David Autor, into the company to conduct original research.
In addition to research, Google is funding new training programs designed to prepare the workforce for an AI-driven environment. These efforts include apprenticeships in high-demand fields and specific training modules for healthcare workers.
Previous research supported by Google’s Digital Futures Project offers a roadmap for these initiatives. A study by MIT researchers Ben Armstrong and Julia Shah found that firms see the greatest success when they deploy AI tools that minimize repetitive tasks and promote human-machine collaboration.
Manyika noted that these investments are intended to help stakeholders make informed decisions as the economy evolves. By fostering collaboration between private companies and academic researchers, Google plans to identify gaps in current understanding regarding how AI tools affect job security and workplace productivity.
The forum serves as a foundation for ongoing policy discussions. Google representatives indicated that the company intends to continue these partnerships to ensure that AI development remains aligned with broader economic stability.
