Launch of the ATLAS Study
Google has recently launched the first iteration of the AI & Economy ATLAS, an ongoing and large-scale de-identified study designed to understand how individuals utilize Google’s AI products in their daily lives and professional work. The initiative includes an interactive open-access site that provides insights into these usage patterns. This launch marks a significant step in empirical research regarding the integration of artificial intelligence tools within economic activities.
High-Profile Academic Advisory Group
To guide the research agenda, Google has assembled an advisory group featuring prominent figures in economics. Philippe Aghion, a 2025 Nobel Laureate in Economics and the Kurt Björklund Chaired Professor at INSEAD and the Collège de France, serves as an Academic Advisor. He joins this group alongside fellow Nobel Laureate Michael Spence and Dame Diane Coyle from Cambridge University.
Visiting Fellows and Collaborations
The program has expanded its Visiting Fellows roster to include Ajay Agrawal, who will collaborate closely with David Autor. Professor Autor is a current Fellow and the head of MIT’s Department of Economics. Additionally, Angela Aristidou, an Associate Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship, contributes research focused on AI adoption opportunities and challenges for small and medium enterprises.
New Research Program Directors
Google is introducing two renowned researchers as Directors of its AI & Economy Research Program to steer empirical projects and integrate insights across the agenda. Among them is Anu Madgavkar, who joins Google following a two-decade career leading global research on labor markets, technology adoption, and structural economic transitions at the McKinsey Global Institute.
Leadership and Key Contributors
The AI & Economy initiative is led by Zanna Iscenko from the Chief Economist's Office and Scott Strand, Head of StratOps and Special Projects in Technology & Society. The ATLAS v1.0 report specifically acknowledges contributions from Dame Diane Coyle and Dr. David Autor, along with the broader ATLAS team, for their work on this initial release.
SME Focus in Research Agenda
The research program explicitly addresses the specific challenges faced by smaller businesses, a critical segment often overlooked in broad economic analyses. Angela Aristidou, an Associate Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship, contributes to this effort through her specialized focus on AI adoption opportunities and challenges for small and medium enterprises. This targeted approach ensures that the empirical projects steer insights relevant to diverse business scales rather than just large corporations.
Full Scope of Advisory Leadership
The advisory group extends beyond Philippe Aghion to include Nobel Laureate Michael Spence and Cambridge’s Dame Diane Coyle, creating a robust panel of economic expertise. This collective guidance helps steer the empirical projects and integrate insights across the broader research agenda. By combining these distinct perspectives, Google aims to ensure that the ATLAS study reflects a comprehensive understanding of labor markets and technology adoption dynamics.