AI and Our Time at Work: Featuring MIT Neil Thompson and David Autor

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of AI on jobs and productivity with MIT researchers David Autor and Neil Thompson.

What does AI really mean for jobs, productivity, and the future of work? Recorded with a live audience at the MIT Museum! In this special live taping of the CSAIL Alliances Podcast, host Kara Miller explores big questions on AI and the future of work with two MIT researchers leading research on technology and labor—David Autor, MIT economist and coauthor of The Work of the Future, and Neil Thompson, Director of MIT FutureTech. Together, they unpack what the evidence actually says about AI and work—cutting through hype, fear, and speculation. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping tasks (not just jobs), why productivity gains have been uneven, and what history can teach us about today’s moment. From software development and medicine to insurance, law, and gig work, Autor and Thompson explain when AI acts as a powerful collaborator—and when full automation simply isn’t realistic or cost-effective. This episode offers a grounded, thoughtful look at how AI is actually being used today—and what that means for workers, organizations, and society going forward. Further reading: Joint research paper: https://www.nber.org/papers/w33941 Vox: Here’s a glimmer of hope about AI and…

People in this episode

Host: Kara Miller

Guests: Neil Thompson, David Autor

Topics covered

• AI
• future of work
• productivity
• technology and labor
• automation

Keywords

• AI and work
• productivity gains
• full automation
• software development
• medicine
• insurance
• law
• gig work

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Our Time at Work, The Work of the Future

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