New Experts Join Google’s AI & Economy Team

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Google has formally expanded its AI & Economy research initiative by appointing two renowned economists, Philippe Aghion and Ajay Agrawal, along with naming Anu Madgavkar and Daniel Rock as research directors, as of September 18, 2026. This expansion is part of the broader efforts detailed in the original analysis. These appointments aim to enhance the company’s efforts to analyze AI’s influence on productivity, labor markets, and scientific innovation, although specific project timelines and governance details remain undisclosed.

Google’s AI & Economy program now includes Philippe Aghion, a Nobel laureate recognized for his work on innovation-led growth and creative destruction, and Ajay Agrawal, a leading economist from the University of Toronto. Aghion will serve as an academic adviser alongside Michael Spence and Dame Diane Coyle, focusing on modeling the long-term macroeconomic effects of AI. Agrawal will collaborate with MIT economist David Autor on AI’s economic implications, including its impact on scientific discovery and human welfare.

In addition, Anu Madgavkar from McKinsey and Daniel Rock from the University of Pennsylvania will lead empirical research into AI adoption, workforce effects, productivity, and scientific progress. They will work under the guidance of Google’s internal research leaders, Alex Imas of DeepMind and Zanna Iscenko of the Chief Economist’s Office.

Google emphasized that these personnel expansions are part of a broader effort to generate evidence-based insights into AI’s economic influence, leveraging the company’s extensive data on product usage. For more context, see the detailed report on AI’s economic impact. However, the company has not disclosed whether the research will be peer-reviewed or how independent it will be from corporate interests, raising questions about transparency and reproducibility. This issue is discussed in the original analysis.

Implications for AI’s Economic Impact Research

The expansion of Google’s AI & Economy team signals a significant investment in understanding how AI influences productivity, labor markets, and innovation on a global scale. By integrating top economists and empirical researchers, Google aims to produce data-driven insights that could shape future policies and business practices. However, the reliance on proprietary data and the lack of clear disclosure policies raise concerns about the independence and external validation of the findings, which are crucial for informing public debate and policymaking.

Background of Google’s AI & Economy Research Program

Launched in 2025, Google’s AI & Economy research initiative aims to study the effects of AI adoption across industries and countries. Its open-access platform, ATLAS v1.0, provides insights into how users employ Google’s AI tools in work and daily activities. The program’s goals include identifying organizational practices, policy frameworks, and training programs associated with economic gains from AI. The recent appointment of high-profile economists and researchers reflects Google’s intent to deepen empirical analysis and expand its influence in shaping AI-related economic policy.

“Tracking adoption patterns is only the beginning.”

— Google AI Research team

Unanswered Questions About Research Independence and Scope

It remains unclear whether the research will be conducted with full academic independence or if Google will exert influence over publication and dissemination. Details about data access, peer review processes, and project timelines have not been disclosed, raising questions about the transparency and reproducibility of the findings. Additionally, it is uncertain how the program will address potential biases or limitations inherent in company-controlled data and whether external validation will be pursued.

Next Steps in Google’s AI & Economy Research Expansion

Google is expected to publish detailed research questions, methodologies, and datasets in the coming months, which will allow external scholars and policymakers to scrutinize and validate findings. Future updates to the ATLAS platform and new empirical studies on AI’s economic effects are anticipated, with milestones likely including peer-reviewed publications and transparency disclosures. The ongoing development of the program will also clarify how Google manages data access, project governance, and collaboration with external experts.

Key Questions

What are the main goals of Google’s expanded AI & Economy program?

The program aims to study AI’s impact on productivity, labor markets, scientific discovery, and economic growth, leveraging large-scale data and expert analysis to inform policy and business practices.

Who are the new experts appointed to the team?

Google has appointed Nobel laureate Philippe Aghion, economist Ajay Agrawal, along with researchers Anu Madgavkar and Daniel Rock, to lead and advise on empirical and theoretical research.

Will the research be independent and peer-reviewed?

It is not yet clear whether Google will allow external peer review or full independence. Details about data access, publication rights, and review processes have not been disclosed.

How will this research influence AI policy and industry practices?

If successful, the research could provide valuable evidence on AI’s economic effects, informing policies on workforce training, regulation, and innovation strategies, though transparency and reproducibility will be key to its impact.

When can we expect to see published results?

Specific publication timelines have not been announced. The next milestones are likely to include detailed research proposals and initial empirical findings in the coming months.

Primary source: Google AI · via ThorstenMeyerAI.com