Simon Johnson

My @projectsyndicate.bsky.social #InsiderInterview with Philippe Aghion is now freely available here: www.project-syndicate.org/onpoint/euro... We discuss creative destruction and competition, reviving European dynamism, China, AI, and more

In this podcast episode, @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social and Gary Gensler discuss the Chinese economy. What should we expect from President Trump's talks with President Xi later this week? Who will be the world’s most influential country in the years ahead? www.powerandconsequences.com/p/episode-11...

Simon Johnson and I are hiring a postdoc at MIT to research the history, social implications, and future of technology. The job description and application link are available here: shapingwork.mit.edu/careers/jame...

The IMF recently revised its global growth projections downward, expecting the Iran war to slow the global economy and raise inflation. Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social discussed these predictions on @npr.org. www.npr.org/2026/04/15/n...

On the latest episode of their podcast, co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social & Gary Gensler discuss AI: whether we're in a boom or a bubble, what history can teach us about how AI will impact jobs, and how US policymakers should respond. Listen here: www.powerandconsequences.com/p/episode-se...

Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social & others submitted an Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court. The brief argues that US companies should be liable if their technology is used to surveil workers or suppress wages in ways that violate human rights. www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24...

Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social describes some of the economic consequences of the conflict in Iran, including the ripple effects of rising oil prices. For an in-depth discussion of this topic, check out Simon's new podcast with Gary Gensler: simonhrjohnson.substack.com/p/episode-th...

Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social participated in a recent debate on the question: Will AI make work obsolete? "We need to redirect the direction of artificial intelligence, but it's not what's happening," he argued. Watch the debate here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lij... 📸 Poll Bravo

"Under [Trump's] second administration, income and wealth gaps have only widened – and his policies are likely to further widen the gap." Read more from co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social and co-authors in @voxeu.org. cepr.org/voxeu/column...

We're hosting a @brookings.edu event on Russia sanctions and lessons to be learned next week on Tuesday, December 16, from 10:15 am to noon. Speakers include @whitehouse.senate.gov, @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social, 4 ambassadors from Europe and @econharris.bsky.social. www.brookings.edu/events/asses...

It’s an honor to be appointed an AI Ambassador for the UK. The UK is a great place to create and scale AI businesses, and I look forward to helping as much as I can. My focus will be on accelerating adoption while ensuring the benefits of AI are broadly shared. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Tomorrow (11/20) at 11:45 EST, we will host Susan Stokes for a discussion of her new book, "The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies," co-organized with @leadershipnow.bsky.social at MIT Sloan. Watch the livestream: mitsloan.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Page...

I am looking forward to speaking at this Georgetown Americas Institute conference on Monday, November 10. Registration is available here (including for the livestream): americas.georgetown.edu/events/the-a...

I am looking forward to chairing this panel on the causes and consequences of wealth inequality on Monday. Register to join us for the launch of our new Stone Center at MIT (in-person or virtually): shapingwork.mit.edu/events/stone...

Please see my op-ed with Corey Klemmer out today: The Federal Reserve's Other Problem www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/u...

In Lindau, co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social discussed the future of technology & inequality in the age of AI, synthesizing his Nobel-winning research with the latest insights on AI & work. Watch here: mediatheque.lindau-nobel.org/recordings/4... 📸 Torben Nuding/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings

I am one of the signatories on this amicus brief, filed yesterday, on the importance of central bank independence.

On Friday, the Stone Center & @mitsloan.bsky.social hosted @michaelposner.bsky.social for a discussion of his book, Conscience Incorporated. The wide-ranging conversation, moderated by @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social, explored business leaders' role in addressing societal challenges such as inequality.

📣 Come work with us! 📊 We're hiring Predoctoral Researchers to work closely with @dacemoglumit.bsky.social, @davidautor.bsky.social, and @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social 📅 Apply by September 21 to meet the priority deadline: shapingwork.mit.edu/careers/ #econ_ra #econsky

📖💬💥 Read Power and Progress: The Mini-Comic! Developed with @joelchristiangill.bsky.social and the BU Visual Narrative MFA program, based on Power & Progress by @dacemoglumit.bsky.social & @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social shapingwork.mit.edu/power-and-pr...

In its eagerness to do the crypto industry’s bidding, the US Congress is adopting legislation that will expose Americans and the world to the real possibility of massive job losses and wealth destruction, warns Nobel laureate @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social.

How will AI impact inequality, in the US and globally? Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social discusses what the preliminary data suggests. Global economies whose competitive advantage currently comes from labor-intensive work could have the most to lose.

Why are some countries rich and others poor? How do institutions drive prosperity — or inequality? @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social unpacks these questions and more on this week's @planetmoney.bsky.social episode. www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1...

The MIT Shaping the Future of Work Initiative is now the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. Hear from our co-directors @dacemoglumit.bsky.social, @davidautor.bsky.social, and @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social about our mission and goals for the years ahead.

"Our concern is that AI, which is made possible by our institutions, is pulled in a direction that undermines democracy." Read insights from co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social in the IMF Finance & Development Magazine: www.imf.org/en/Publicati...

I appeared on W Radio this morning to discuss the impacts of the House budget bill for working people. www.wradio.com.co/2025/06/03/n...

My op-ed with Brooksley Born on the GENIUS bill is now live. "As currently drafted, the GENIUS bill paves another road to financial self-destruction that will undermine the American and global economy." www.americanbanker.com/opinion/the-...

Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social explains why the US auto industry had such a massive increase in productivity in the early 20th century — and how workers were able to benefit, despite widespread automation.

We urgently need strong regulatory oversight of stablecoins. The GENIUS Act lacks fundamental provisions to preserve financial stability and would increase systemic risk stemming from stablecoin runs and inadequate guardrails on foreign issuers.

Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social argues that Trump’s tariffs don’t mean the end of globalization, but rather a remaking of it. The flows of ideas, trade, finance, and people will be reorganized, with significant consequences for who wins and loses around the world — and who has good jobs.

Looking forward to this @harvardbookstore.bsky.social event in Cambridge next week with @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social Please make it if you can.

Don't miss this free event next week! 📅 Tues 5/13 ⏰ 6:00 ET 📖 Capitalism and Its Critics: A History: From the Industrial Revolution to AI 🗣️ @johncassidysays.bsky.social & @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social 📍Cambridge Public Library Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/john-cassi... @harvardbookstore.bsky.social

@simonhrjohnson.bsky.social and Erkki Liikanen look ahead to May 2026, when Donald Trump will nominate Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's successor. bit.ly/434cUTg

I was honored to speak on two panels at the @milkeninstitute.org 2025 Global Conference this week, one on balancing strategic competitiveness and shared prosperity, and the other on understanding the economics of the GLP-1 era. Recordings available here: milkeninstitute.org/events/globa... #MIGlobal

📅 Tuesday, May 13 ⏰ 6:00 PM ET 📖 Capitalism and Its Critics: A History: From the Industrial Revolution to AI — @johncassidysays.bsky.social (with @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social ) 📍 Cambridge Public Library Learn more and register: www.eventbrite.com/e/john-cassi... @harvardbookstore.bsky.social

I was on PBS News Hour last night to discuss the latest developments in Trump's tariff policy. The segment is available here: www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...

I appeared on CNBC Squawk Box this morning (directly after Treasury Secretary Bessent!) to discuss the impact of Trump's tariffs, including for the EU. www.cnbc.com/video/2025/0...

Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social weighs in on the implications of Trump's tariffs for the global economy in @nytimes.com. “A lot will depend on how Europe decides to play this." www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/w...

My latest op-ed: A US Tariff Idea That Makes Sense US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs were the culmination of a terrible first two months for his administration on the world stage. He badly needs a win, and a bipartisan Senate bill could give him one.

Will AI disrupt existing oligarchy in the tech sector by increasing competition, or will it further centralize the reach and control of a few billionaires? Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social discusses. Watch the full clip: youtu.be/FlqhSfL8wBI

"It's a mistake to think of [technology] as following one predetermined path. There are many paths that technology can take." Hear more from co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social in this 13-minute video from @ineteconomics.bsky.social‬. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvQj...

Who will AI benefit—the many or the few? 👉 youtu.be/QvQjN73VQGk 👀 Simon Johnson @mitshapingwork.bsky.social argues that policymakers must step in to ensure technology benefits workers, not just corporate elites.

What exactly are tariffs, and what impacts could they have on workers? Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social explains.

America’s oligarchs are inventing a future that fits their own personal interests. You might get lucky and find a way to rise alongside them, but you, your children, and your grandchildren will most likely struggle, @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social warns in PS Quarterly: Work and Fate. bit.ly/3DF0Uii

"The US already has a base on Greenland, reportedly with several hundred personnel." @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social dismisses the argument that US national security depends on gaining control over the island.

In partnership with @schmidtsciences.bsky.social, @dacemoglumit.bsky.social, David Autor and I are seeking funding proposals from researchers conducting innovative field experiments on the labor economics of frontier AI. Learn more and apply by March 31. shapingwork.mit.edu/call-for-pro...

Thanks to the organizers and everyone attending this MIT Sloan Alumni event in NYC today!

Did you miss our symposium last week on Aligning Innovation and Equity in the Digital Economy? A recording of the event is now available, including opening and closing remarks by @dacemoglumit.bsky.social and @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social. www.youtube.com/playlist?lis... #EconSky

I invite you to join @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social, David Autor and me for our upcoming symposium at MIT, which will explore work, opportunity, and innovation in the age of AI. See the agenda and panelists below. Register to join in-person or watch the livestream: shapingwork.mit.edu/events/align...