Breakthroughs & Policy

Google Expands AI & Economy Research Program with New Leadership

Google has expanded its AI & Economy Research Program by appointing new directors and academic advisors to analyze the global impact of AI on labor markets and productivity. The initiative aims to integrate empirical research with real-time data to inform policy and workforce development.

The AI Multiverse Editorial Desk•Friday, September 18, 2026•3 min read

Reported viaGoogle AI Blog

Reader:

Executive Brief & 3-Point Takeaways

Google adds high-profile academic advisors to its economic research division.

The AI & Economy ATLAS v1.0 serves as the primary data tool for tracking AI adoption.

The program is explicitly focused on the intersection of AI, labor markets, and public policy.

Impact:

This expansion signals a shift toward data-driven economic policy, aiming to provide empirical evidence for how AI influences workforce transitions and economic prosperity.

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Google Expands AI & Economy Research Program with New Leadership

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Key Findings & Takeaways

Google adds high-profile academic advisors to its economic research division.
The AI & Economy ATLAS v1.0 serves as the primary data tool for tracking AI adoption.
The program is explicitly focused on the intersection of AI, labor markets, and public policy.

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Analysis & Context

Google has appointed Anu Madgavkar and Daniel Rock as Directors of the AI & Economy Research Program. They will work alongside Alex Imas, Director of AGI Economics at Google DeepMind, and Zanna Iscenko, AI & Economy Lead in the Chief Economist's Office. The expansion includes the addition of Nobel Laureate Philippe Aghion and Professor Ajay Agrawal as academic advisors to support the program's research agenda.

Why It Matters

This expansion signals a shift toward data-driven economic policy, aiming to provide empirical evidence for how AI influences workforce transitions and economic prosperity.

Technical Details & Methodology

The program utilizes the AI & Economy ATLAS v1.0, an interactive open-access platform designed to track how AI tools are utilized in professional and daily life environments.

What Happened

Google has expanded its AI & Economy Research Program, appointing Anu Madgavkar and Daniel Rock as Directors. They join a leadership team including Alex Imas (Google DeepMind) and Zanna Iscenko. The program has also recruited Nobel Laureate Philippe Aghion and Professor Ajay Agrawal as academic advisors to guide empirical projects.

Key Findings

The research agenda focuses on four core areas: the future of work, productivity and growth, global technology diffusion, and AI’s impact on scientific discovery. The team intends to use these insights to shape public policy and organizational training programs.

Technical Details

The program relies on the AI & Economy ATLAS v1.0, an interactive, open-access site that tracks real-time adoption patterns of Google’s AI tools across various sectors.

Why It Matters

By bridging the gap between industry data and academic economic inquiry, this program seeks to provide a framework for navigating the complex transition of AI integration into the global economy.