The AI Economy Institute (AIEI) is launching its second cohort of researchers, advancing our mission to understand and accelerate the responsible diffusion of artificial intelligence (AI) across economies, industries, and communities. This year’s theme—Education in the AI Economy—places diffusion at the heart of our inquiry: how does AI adoption spread in the classroom, how students and educators benefit, and how we can design a future where opportunity is intentionally distributed?
Cohort Two
The 2025 cohort brings together exceptional global expertise and diversity, with researchers from eight countries and leading institutions worldwide. Their work spans disciplines from economics and policy to engineering, education, and artificial intelligence, reflecting a truly multidisciplinary approach.
- Bashar Alhafni, Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI (MBZUAI), UAE
- Carolina Calvo, National Center for AI (CENIA), Chile
- Bharat Chandar, Stanford University
- Manuel Hoffmann, University of California, Irvine and Frank Nagle, MIT IDE
- Stephen Michael Impink, HEC Paris, France
- Jason Jabbari, Washington University, St. Louis
- Tingting Li, Washington State University
- Carolina Lopez, World Bank
- Laura Nurski, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Belgium
- Joseph Onderi Orero, Strathmore University, Kenya
- Sarah Rodriguez, Virginia Tech Foundation
- Robert Seamans, Stern School of Business, New York University and Arun Sundararajan, New York University
- Andrew Stokols, MIT/Singapore Management University, Singapore
- Inbal Talgam-Cohen, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- Skye Zhao, University of Manchester, England
Opportunity, Education, and Work
This cohort explores how AI adoption varies across regions and sectors, what barriers and accelerators exist, and how education and workforce systems must evolve to keep pace with technological change. Researchers will investigate:
- National Diffusion Differences: Comparative studies of AI strategies and adoption in East and Southeast Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Africa.
- AI and Education: The impact of AI on K-12 teaching, teacher training, and game-based learning, with a focus on equity and innovation.
- AI and Entry-Level Jobs: Labor market impacts, mentorship, and the emergence of new apprenticeship models in the digital economy.
- Community, Technical, and Vocational Colleges: Pathways for high-impact AI transitions, workforce development, and regional innovation.
Spotlight: People and Projects
Apprenticeships
Dr. Impink’s research at HEC Paris explores how digital tools are paving the way for white-collar apprenticeship programs. The project assesses whether successful European models can be adapted for the U.S. and other developed markets, highlighting the risks of relying solely on private investment in education and guiding future workforce policy.
The Two-Year Educational Platform
Sarah Rodriguez’s work focuses on community, technical, and vocational colleges as engines of equitable AI adoption. Her research informs strategies for workforce development and educational reform, ensuring that AI-driven change benefits learners from all backgrounds.
UAE and Singapore: National Diffusion Leaders
Projects from the United Arab Emirates and Singapore analyze why these countries lead in AI adoption—over 56% of their working-age populations actively use AI tools. Decades of strategic investment in digital infrastructure, education, and policy have accelerated responsible diffusion, offering actionable insights for nations seeking to close the AI adoption gap.
Continuity and Progress: Building on AIEI’s Inaugural Cohort
Cohort two’s work reflects AIEI’s commitment to continuity and progress. Last year, our researchers illuminated how AI diffusion is shaped by human agency, creativity, and the urgent need for educational transformation. This year, we look earlier in the educational pathway and deepen our inquiry—tracking how diffusion unfolds globally, and how local choices and partnerships drive real change.
Shaping the Economic Future by Design
AI’s diffusion will shape whether its benefits are broad and transformative or concentrated among a few. Inclusive and ethical design—through policies, infrastructure, and governance—ensures that AI advances human values while driving productivity and innovation. As this cohort begins its work, we look forward to the insights that will inform policy, guide educational reform, and inspire innovation across sectors and geographies, helping shape our economic future.
Artificial intelligence