The AI Awakening: Implications for the Economy and Society

Overview

Class Central Tips

This course explores how the advances in artificial intelligence can and will transform our economy and society in the near future. You will hear insights from esteemed AI researchers and industry leaders in technology, economics, and business. The curriculum addresses the technological underpinnings of Generative AI, its profound implications for businesses and the broader economy, and the potential risks associated with AI-driven transformations in the workforce. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the foresight necessary to navigate the transformative landscape of AI. Notable guest speakers include Eric Schmidt (former CEO of Google), Laura Tyson (esteemed Berkeley professor and former Director of the National Economic Council), Bindu Reddy (CEO and Co-Founder - Abacus.AI), Alex Wang (Founder of Scale AI), Mira Murati (CTO of OpenAI), Jack Clark (Co-founder of Anthropic), and Mustafa Suleyman (Founder of Inflection.AI). They originally joined a conversation with Erik Brynjolfsson and Sebastian Thrun at Stanford University in Spring 2023, and we believe that their insights will be as valuable to your understanding as they were to the Stanford community. Special thanks to James da Costa for his work on the development of this course.

Syllabus

The Technology behind Generative AI

In this module, we will delve into the technological basics of generative AI, explore the recent progress shaping its current capabilities, examine the roles played by data and human input in model development, and experience live demos of Generative AI solutions. We will join conversations with Jack Clark (Co-founder of Anthropic), Mira Murati (CTO of OpenAI), and Alexandr Wang (Founder of Scale AI).

The Implications of Generative AI for Business and the Economy

In this module, we will delve into the landscape of Generative AI startups. We will examine the business and economic implications of Generative AI by drawing insights from past automation lessons and contemplating the broader workforce effects, including shifts in employment dynamics and skill-based training. We will join conversations with Laura Tyson (a renowned Berkeley professor and former Director of the National Economic Council), and Bindu Reddy (the CEO and Co-Founder of Abacus.AI).

The Risks of Generative AI

In this module, our focus will be to examine the potential risks associated with Generative AI for society, while simultaneously delving into the benefits it could bring into the world. We will consider a future where work may undergo significant transformation or even become obsolete. We will join conversations with Mustafa Suleyman (Founder of Inflection.AI) and Eric Schmidt (former CEO of Google).