The MIT Shaping the Future of Work Initiative, led by professors Daron Acemoglu, David Autor, and Simon Johnson, launched officially on Jan. 22. The initiative aims to study the factors affecting job quality and opportunities for non-college workers and find ways to create a more fair economy. Here, the professors discuss the initiative.
### Origins of the Initiative
The impetus for the MIT Shaping the Future of Work Initiative came from the challenges faced by workers without a four-year college degree over the past 40 years. Issues like globalization, automation, and policy changes have led to fewer jobs and declining wages for these workers, resulting in inequality and limited opportunities. The prevailing belief that these changes are inevitable and workers must adapt is false. The direction of technology and the institutions that shape it can be influenced to create a better future.
### Goals of the Initiative
The initiative aims to advance empirical research to understand the impact of technology on prosperity and inequality. The professors hope to create a framework that shows how institutions and social forces influence technology, identify inefficiencies, and contribute to policy discussions. They also aim to inspire younger researchers to explore these issues and contribute to building a supportive ecosystem.
### Next Steps
Moving forward, the initiative plans to go beyond research and identify innovative ideas that can benefit workers. They will continue to convene students, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to share insights and build a diverse network of researchers. Resources, like policy memos and research on worker-augmenting AI tools, will be created to reach wider audiences. The initiative also aims to engage globally with scholars working on similar issues.