Erik Brynjolfsson

Erik Brynjolfsson is a world-leading expert on artificial intelligence and the economics of technology, specialising in how AI transforms productivity, employment, and business strategy. As the Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Professor at Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI and Director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, he has authored influential books including The Second Machine Age and co-authored The Economics of Transformative AI. His groundbreaking research tracks AI's real-world impact on workers and organisations, recently documenting productivity gains of up to 26% in AI-enabled roles whilst identifying emerging employment gaps for younger workers. Erik equips leaders and organisations to navigate technological disruption with evidence-based strategies that harness AI's potential whilst building resilient, future-ready workforces.

When Erik Brynjolfsson co-authored *The Second Machine Age*, he fundamentally shifted how leaders think about technology's trajectory, arguing that digital innovation was accelerating faster than our institutions could adapt. That warning has only grown more urgent as artificial intelligence reshapes every corner of the economy, and Erik has positioned himself at the forefront of understanding exactly how this transformation unfolds in real time. Now the Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Professor at Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI and Director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, he combines rigorous academic research with practical insight drawn from founding two companies, earning five US patents, and advising organisations from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to Time Magazine's Board of Economists. His influence extends through landmark publications including *Race Against the Machine* and the recent *The Economics of Transformative AI*, co-authored with leading scholars to map the societal implications of this technological revolution.

Erik's credibility rests on decades of pioneering research that measures technology's actual impact rather than speculating about its potential. As a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and former professor at MIT Sloan School of Management, he has earned nine Best Paper awards and recognition from BusinessWeek as one of five E-Business Visionaries. His recent work tracks AI adoption across American industry and documents productivity gains of up to 26% in AI-enabled roles, whilst simultaneously identifying a widening employment gap for younger workers in AI-exposed occupations. This dual focus on opportunity and challenge reflects his commitment to evidence-based analysis. Through Stanford Digital Economy Lab, he leads projects examining everything from the consumer welfare effects of digital advertising to how minimum wage policies intersect with automation trends. His forthcoming book *AI's Use of Knowledge in Society* promises to further illuminate how artificial intelligence redistributes economic value and reshapes competitive advantage.

Erik equips leaders to navigate technological disruption with clarity and confidence, translating complex economic research into actionable strategy. His presentations move beyond abstract theory to address the practical questions organisations face: which tasks AI will amplify versus substitute, how to reallocate resources toward human-complementary work, and why building accountability and trust matters more than technical fluency alone. Audiences leave with frameworks for assessing their own AI exposure, understanding productivity dynamics, and making informed decisions about workforce development and digital investment. Whether advising policymakers on building guardrails for responsible AI deployment or helping business leaders identify where technology creates competitive advantage, Erik delivers insights grounded in rigorous data and real-world application. His work ensures that organisations don't simply react to technological change but actively shape it toward outcomes that benefit both performance and people.