In a major recognition of his influential work, Daron Acemoglu, MIT’s Institute Professor and the Elizabeth and James Killian Professor of Economics, has been awarded the prestigious A.SK Social Science Award by the WZB Berlin Social Science Center. This renowned international award celebrates Acemoglu’s groundbreaking contributions in various fields such as institutions in capitalist economies, the delicate balance between states and societies for liberty, and the risks and benefits of automation.
The international jury, impressed by Acemoglu’s extensive research in labor economics, macroeconomics, and political economy, applauded his expertise in determining the factors that drive economic growth. His outstanding career trajectory, spanning disciplines like political science, economics, development economics, and economic theory, has garnered immense recognition.
Acemoglu, who has been teaching at MIT since 1993, co-leads the MIT Shaping the Future of Work Initiative, in collaboration with Professors David Autor and Simon Johnson. Acemoglu’s latest publication, “Power and Progress: Our 1000-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity,” co-authored with Simon Johnson, highlights the potential dangers of unregulated AI, emphasizing the need for regulation to mitigate its social, economic, and political impacts.
The A.SK Social Science Award, valued at 100,000 euros, will be presented to Acemoglu during a livestreamed ceremony in Berlin on November 14. This esteemed accolade has previously been awarded to MIT economist Esther Duflo in 2015, recognizing her contributions as the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics, and her vital role in establishing the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL).