MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy

?? Event videos now available! The Business Implications of #GenerativeAI (BIG AI@MIT) conference brought together 300+ leaders, researchers, and innovators to explore the transformative potential of AI—and the challenges it poses. From groundbreaking #AI applications like tools that learn by observing to discussions on scaling adoption and tackling bias, the event was packed with actionable insights. Don’t miss the thought-provoking panels on AI’s impact on work, equity, and governance, featuring voices like Sinan Aral, Rita McGrath, Andrew McAfee, Lan Guan, Sendhil Mullainathan, Bill Aulet, Daniela Rus, and many more. ?? Watch and discover the ideas shaping the future of AI: https://lnkd.in/epT4_p89 ?? Check out the full recap blog: https://lnkd.in/eWuSnDcg

?? We’re Launching a LinkedIn #Newsletter! ?? We’re thrilled to introduce the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy monthly newsletter, now on LinkedIn! Stay updated with the latest IDE news, research insights, blogs, and events—delivered straight to your feed. Our inaugural November edition includes: ? Recaps from BIG AI@MIT and CODE@MIT events ? New research on #misinformation by IDE’s David Rand ? Podcasts, videos, and much more! Check it out, subscribe, and let us know your thoughts!

During the #entrepreneurship and #AI session at BIG AI@MIT, Bill Aulet lead a panel of experts including M.L. Carr, Lily Lyman, Stephanie MacConnell, and Heidi Messer. As our panelists dove in, one major point became clear: we need to address the talent gap. To truly create an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, we must meet people where they are in terms of skilling and provide opportunities for all. AI holds immense potential, but it's critical that we stay vigilant about #bias. The reality is, 40% of #venturecapital raised is going to just five funds, which highlights the need to reduce barriers and allow more people to "get in the game." This is especially important as we’re seeing more entrepreneurs bootstrap and launch companies—creating a landscape where, in many ways, we are in the best time for entrepreneurship. As AI continues to shape the future, the way we educate entrepreneurs will also evolve rapidly. What we look for in entrepreneurs in 18 months will be radically different, and we need to prepare today to ensure those changes are inclusive, innovative, and fair.

The day is flying by here at BIG.AI@MIT, and we’ve already heard our third session of the day! Here, we’ve explored what’s next for business in the age of #AI in a conversation led by Lan Guan, chief AI officer of Accenture. Joining her was Vala Afshar, Bhavesh Dayalji, Rose Mei, Soumya Seetharam, and Savannah Thais. They dove into focusing on data to get to the exciting application part of AI, staying teachable when incorporating new tech solutions, and the pit falls when moving AI solutions from a lab context out into the real world full of interfering variables in their talk. If you want to hear more, a recording of all sessions from the event today will be available next week! Check out the full lineup to get a glimpse of what’s in store: https://lnkd.in/ev7G2jvq MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, Accenture Salesforce S&P Global Kensho Technologies Tronox Corning Incorporated The Data Science Institute at Columbia University #GenerativeAI #GenAI #MITIDE #MIT #Accenture #AIInnovation #FutureOfBusiness #Thinkers50 #BIGAI #AIInBusiness #DigitalTransformation

Accenture’s chief AI officer, Lan Guan moderated an eye opening discussion at BIG AI@MIT with panelists: Vala Afshar Bhavesh Dayalji Rose Mei Soumya Seetharam And Savannah Thais Experts discussed the strategies businesses should use to harness their potential while grappling with scaling challenges as #generativeAI technologies gain traction.

Really refreshing to hear so much consistent discussion about the importance of demonstrating the value of GenAI so far at Massachusetts Institute of Technology event on Generative AI hosted by MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, Thinkers50, and Accenture. In a hallway chat, a senior data and innovation officer was telling me about their execution of ROI and impact measurement across AI efforts. On a macro level, most companies are not yet meaningfully challenging or measuring their AI appetite with accountable ROI forecasts or the actual value delivered on AI projects. Even beyond this conference...it feels like that's quickly changing. Maybe we really are entering the moment where the shiny toys meet seasoned business leaders and good AI meets great governance.

The BIG AI@MIT fireside chat lead by Sinan Aral with panelists, Michiel Bakker and Manish Raghavan showed us that when it comes to the impact of #AI on society, there’s a lot to be optimistic about but we need to be careful about how we get there. Among the biggest fears for our speakers is the threat of misuse and having powerful actors have access to such powerful technology which, according to Michiel Bakker, could lead to a dangerous world and we should think about to how to mitigate some of these risks. On the bright side, we are moving towards a world where we can live healthier happier lives with hopefully cheaper drugs, access to cheaper energy, and all technological breakthroughs powered by AI systems.

We just wrapped up the “A Leading Role for Research in Analyzing the Gains and Harms of GenAI" panel at BIG AI@MIT. With expert insights from Susan Athey, Daniela Rus, Sendhil Mullainathan and moderator, Sinan Aral. #GenerativeAI is a once-in-a-generation disruptive technology that has the potential to transform how work is performed across every industry and function. While its potential is becoming more tangible, the specifics of how Generative AI impacts organizations and roles is rapidly evolving along with the #technology, challenging leaders to understand how, where, and when to best leverage investments in Generative AI to drive differentiated outcomes. Our panelists had a lively discussion, some debate, and proposals for the research necessary to understand the causal impact (positive and negative) on organizations, roles, and individuals in the context of the #futureofwork.

Is #AI disruptive innovation or a complete paradigm change, and are businesses prepared for it? These were just some of the questions we tackled during the opening session at BIG.AI@MIT, co-hosted by MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, Accenture, and #Thinkers50. In this session moderated by our co-founder, Des Dearlove, Scott D. Anthony, Rita McGrath, and H. James Wilson shared their insights on how AI has the power to transform the world we live in and how significant its impact will be – ranging from how human and machine together can be more productive than either alone, how to shift education to accommodate many potential future outcomes, how to set speed bumps for ourselves in tech development, and whether it’s warranted to be optimistic in the age of AI. Throughout the day, we will dive into many more topics related to #GenAI and #business, such as its impact on society, AI in entrepreneurship, and what role research plays in analysing its gains and harms. Whether you're here with us at Massachusetts Institute of Technology or couldn’t attend in person, you can check out the event agenda to see what’s in store. All sessions will be recorded and shared next week: https://lnkd.in/ev7G2jvq The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth Columbia Business School #GenerativeAI #MITIDE #MIT #Accenture #AIInnovation #FutureOfBusiness #Thinkers50 #BIGAI #AIInBusiness #DigitalTransformation

“What if we could invent algorithms that could do everything a human being can?” Asks Sendhil Mullainathan to the BIG AI@MIT audience, but what if we asked a different question he says, “…what are things algorithms can do uniquely that humans can never even dream of?” Illustrating the algorithms can see things that we, as humans can’t and “those are the places where there are huge gains.”