Power and Progress — Nobel Laureate Simon Johnson on Why AI Is Repeating Industrial-Era Mistakes

In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Simon Johnson, an economist and professor at MIT Sloan School of Management, about his background, his work on technology and prosperity, and his views on current economic issues. Johnson discusses his upbringing in Sheffield, England, his education and influences, and his research on inclusive institutions and technological innovation. The conversation covers historical perspectives on technology and society, the challenges of job displacement and inequality, and policy recommendations such as investing in science and technology across the United States. Johnson also shares his thoughts on the role of universities, the impact of AI on employment, and the economic competition between the U.S. and China. Finally, he touches on the economic implications of the war in Ukraine, the national debt, and his current focus on the future of work and public health.