{"id":1154871,"date":"2025-11-06T09:43:36","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T17:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/?post_type=msr-blog-post&#038;p=1154871"},"modified":"2026-03-09T13:49:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:49:36","slug":"education-in-the-ai-economy-the-ai-economy-institutes-2025-fall-cohort","status":"publish","type":"msr-blog-post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/articles\/education-in-the-ai-economy-the-ai-economy-institutes-2025-fall-cohort\/","title":{"rendered":"Education in the AI Economy: the AI Economy Institute\u2019s 2025 Fall Cohort"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p id=\"block-5df3ddc2-7291-428b-908c-58491ad384f9\">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\u2019s theme\u2014Education in the AI Economy\u2014places 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"AI Economy Institute | abstract background\" class=\"wp-image-1144013\" style=\"width:668px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1-1066x600.jpg 1066w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1-655x368.jpg 655w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1-240x135.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1-1280x720.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/AIEI-hero-image_test-1.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-b612032a-6b70-4ad9-9037-6817a9895340\">Cohort Two&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-a95ae891-237a-45ed-b277-ce3b94fd19c5\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bashar Alhafni, Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI (MBZUAI), UAE<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carolina Calvo, National Center for AI (CENIA), Chile<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bharat Chandar, Stanford University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manuel Hoffmann, University of California, Irvine and Frank Nagle, MIT IDE<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stephen Michael Impink, HEC Paris, France<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jason Jabbari, Washington University, St. Louis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tingting Li, Washington State University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carolina Lopez, World Bank<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Laura Nurski, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Belgium<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Joseph Onderi Orero, Strathmore University, Kenya<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sarah Rodriguez, Virginia Tech Foundation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Robert Seamans, Stern School of Business, New York University and Arun Sundararajan, New York University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Andrew Stokols, MIT\/Singapore Management University, Singapore<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inbal Talgam-Cohen, Tel Aviv University, Israel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skye Zhao, University of Manchester, England<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sarayu Sundar, University of Colorado Boulder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wendy DuBow, University of Colorado Boulder<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-ff79c366-a3e6-4924-bd98-a599ece86322\">Opportunity, Education, and Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-90d3f8ae-e21c-4c27-8d9a-b646693122d8\">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:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"block-e32043b7-f8d7-462f-b5a3-a1d1dca0d23a\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Diffusion Differences:<\/strong> Comparative studies of AI strategies and adoption in East and Southeast Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Africa.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>AI and Education:<\/strong> The impact of AI on K-12 teaching, teacher training, and game-based learning, with a focus on equity and innovation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>AI and Entry-Level Jobs:<\/strong> Labor market impacts, mentorship, and the emergence of new apprenticeship models in the digital economy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community, Technical, and Vocational Colleges:<\/strong> Pathways for high-impact AI transitions, workforce development, and regional innovation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"spotlight-people-and-projects\">Spotlight: People and Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"apprenticeships\">Apprenticeships<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Impink\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-two-year-educational-platform\">The Two-Year Educational Platform<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Sarah Rodriguez\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"uae-and-singapore-national-diffusion-leaders\">UAE and Singapore: National Diffusion Leaders<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Projects from the United Arab Emirates and Singapore analyze why these countries lead in AI adoption\u2014over 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"continuity-and-progress-building-on-aiei-s-inaugural-cohort\">Continuity and Progress: Building on AIEI\u2019s Inaugural Cohort<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Cohort two\u2019s work reflects AIEI\u2019s 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\u2014tracking how diffusion unfolds globally, and how local choices and partnerships drive real change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"shaping-the-economic-future-by-design\">Shaping the Economic Future by Design<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>AI\u2019s diffusion will shape whether its benefits are broad and transformative or concentrated among a few. Inclusive and ethical design\u2014through policies, infrastructure, and governance\u2014ensures 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019s theme\u2014Education in the AI Economy\u2014places diffusion at the heart of our inquiry: how does AI adoption spread in the classroom, how students [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39727,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"msr-url-field":"","msr-podcast-episode":"","msrModifiedDate":"","msrModifiedDateEnabled":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","msr-content-parent":1151895,"msr_hide_image_in_river":null,"footnotes":""},"research-area":[13556],"msr-locale":[268875],"msr-post-option":[269148,269142],"class_list":["post-1154871","msr-blog-post","type-msr-blog-post","status-publish","hentry","msr-research-area-artificial-intelligence","msr-locale-en_us","msr-post-option-approved-for-river","msr-post-option-include-in-river"],"msr_assoc_parent":{"id":1151895,"type":"group"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-blog-post\/1154871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-blog-post"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/msr-blog-post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39727"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-blog-post\/1154871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1163575,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-blog-post\/1154871\/revisions\/1163575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1154871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"msr-research-area","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-area?post=1154871"},{"taxonomy":"msr-locale","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-locale?post=1154871"},{"taxonomy":"msr-post-option","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-post-option?post=1154871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}