Erik Brynjolfsson

Leading Authority on the Economics of IT

As technology transforms, and takes on more jobs, what will it take for humans to survive – and grow? Race with the machines, urges Erik Brynjolfsson, renowned Stanford University professor and New York Times bestselling author. Digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, are at the center of a revolution that will be more extraordinary, more disruptive and more world-changing than any other period in history. Embrace the opportunity.

Erik Brynjolfsson

Leading Authority on the Economics of IT

As technology transforms, and takes on more jobs, what will it take for humans to survive – and grow? Race with the machines, urges Erik Brynjolfsson, renowned Stanford University professor and New York Times bestselling author. Digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, are at the center of a revolution that will be more extraordinary, more disruptive and more world-changing than any other period in history. Embrace the opportunity.

Biography

A global expert on the effects of information technology (IT) and AI on business strategy, productivity and performance, Professor Brynjolfsson sees a bright future where machines serve as powerful tools and partners. But he says we can only shape this future if we keep up with the pace of innovation. Through his work as Director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab at the Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI), Brynjolfsson is helping companies and economies decipher, prepare for and capitalize on the technological changes that will impact everything from employment and healthcare to education and socio-economic mobility. These are themes Professor Brynjolfsson passionately and expertly explores in his research, teaching and keynotes, helping his audiences envision how people and businesses will work, interact and prosper in this era of profound transformation. His writing digs in even deeper: Brynjolfsson is co-author of New York Times best-seller “The Second Machine Age” (W. W. Norton & Company, 2014) and “Machine, Platform, Crowd: Harnessing Our Digital Future” (W. W. Norton & Company, 2017), and he co-chaired the recent report by the United States National Academies of Science on “Information Technologies and the Workforce.”

Professor Brynjolfsson’s current research explores understanding what parts of the economy machine learning will affect the most, how AI and other technologies will drive productivity growth over the next few years, and how we can measure the benefits of digital goods and new goods that are largely invisible from traditional GDP and productivity accounting. He was among the first researchers to measure the productivity contributions of IT and the complementary role of organizational capital and other intangibles.

Brynjolfsson is the Ralph Landau Senior Fellow in Economic Growth at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), a Senior Research Fellow at HAI, and Professor, by courtesy, of Economics, a Professor, by courtesy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Prior to joining Stanford, Brynjolfsson was the Director of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Harvard University in applied mathematics and decision sciences and earned his doctorate in managerial economics from MIT. One of the most cited researchers on IT and economics, his work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the John DC Little Award for best paper in marketing, the Herbert Simon Award for Information economics, and five patents. Ranked in Thinkers50 2021 ranking of ‘Management Thinkers’ list.

Topics

  • Machine, Platform, Crowd: Harnessing Our Digital Future
  • Management in the Second Machine Age
  • How Technology is Reshaping the Economy, Society, and the Future of Work

Publications

  • Machine, Platform, Crowd: Harnessing Our Digital Future (with Andrew McAfee) (2017)
  • Some Estimates of the Contribution of Information Technology to Consumer Welfare (2015)
  • Network Externalities in Microcomputer Software (with Chris F Kemerer) (2015)
  • The Second Machine Age (with Andrew McAfee) (2014)
  • Race Against The Machine (with Andrew McAfee) (2011)
  • Wired for Innovation (with Adam Saunders) (2009)
  • Understanding the Digital Economy (with Brian Kahin) (2002)
  • Strategies for eBusiness Success (with Glen Urban) (2001)

Awards

  • Winner of Digital Thinking Award of Distinguished Awards for 2015 of Thinkers50
  • eBusiness Executive of the Year Award, eBusiness Association of New York (2001)
  • John D.C. Little Award for Best Paper in Marketing Science (1999)
  • Center for Telecommunications Management Dissertation Award (1989-90)

Testimonials

“An electrifying keynote by MIT Sloan professor and author Erik Brynjolfsson. Brynjolfsson had a huge audience in the palm of his hand as he described what he termed the ‘second machine age’.”

“Thank you so much for coming to tell the story of The Second Machine Age. You delivered an electrifying presentation. The feedback I’ve heard from attendees has been nothing short of ‘that was amazing!’”

“Your presentation on “Automation’s Impact on the Knowledge Worker” was exactly what we needed to launch the discussion. It was powerful, insightful, and was thought provoking for all in the room. We have had nothing but positive feedback.”

“Insightful and empirical information about the impact of digital technology on business. Entertainingly and convincingly presented. Erik is generous with his time and his expertise, and presents with authority and humor.”

“Very engaging topic that fit well with our retail model and desire to innovate. Not too cerebral for the mixed audience. Kept everyone entertained. Thought provoking. A lot of good post presentation feedback.”

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