The Economics of Artificial Intelligence

Thursday, 07 Sep 2023 at 6:00 pm – Great Hall, Memorial Union

I.W. Arthur Memorial LectureEconomist Tyler Cowen will discuss the benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). Cowen believes that those who are worried about AI destroying humankind need to make a more convincing case for their concerns. Cowen thinks that those worried about AI are too willing to limit freedoms and empower government to reduce the uncertain risk.Cowen is a professor of Economics at George Mason University and at the Center for the Study of Public Choice. He is also the director of the Mercatus Center, which does research to advance the knowledge about how markets solve problems. Dr. Cowen writes for the blog Marginal Revolution. His latest book, Talent, was published in 2022.About I.W. ArthurIra W. “Duke” Arthur was born in Iowa in 1893.  He graduated from Ames High School in 1912 as president of his senior class.  He then attended Iowa State College where he studied animal husbandry.  After graduating in 1916, he briefly taught animal husbandry at the University of Georgia.  However, when war broke out he became a World War I flier with the United States Air Corps.  After the war, he returned to Ames where he completed a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics in 1927.  He continued his study of economics, first at the University of Chicago and then at the University of Minnesota where he received his doctorate in 1939.    I.W. Arthur joined the Iowa State Economics Department in 1936.  He became a full professor in 1959.  His duties were divided between extension and teaching.  His extension research and activities included contributions in the areas of farm leases, land tenure, social security, partnership agreements, pork and beef marketing, and rural human capital.  However, his greatest contributions were in undergraduate teaching.  His students admired him both for his kind, compassionate nature and for his straightforward, no-nonsense approach to economic problems.    The Department of Economics at Iowa State is proud to dedicate this seminar to the memory of I.W. Arthur and to the academic spirit that he strived to enhance. The University Book Store will be onsite selling his books at the event.This lecture was recorded and can be viewed on the Available Recordings page. 

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I.W. Arthur Memorial LectureEconomist Tyler Cowen will discuss the benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). Cowen believes that those who are worried about AI destroying humankind need to make a more convincing case for their concerns. Cowen thinks that those worried about AI are too willing to limit freedoms and empower government to reduce the uncertain risk.Cowen is a professor of Economics at George Mason University and at the Center for the Study of Public Choice. He is also the director of the Mercatus Center, which does research to advance the knowledge about how markets solve problems. Dr. Cowen writes for the blog Marginal Revolution. His latest book, Talent, was published in 2022.About I.W. ArthurIra W. “Duke” Arthur was born in Iowa in 1893.  He graduated from Ames High School in 1912 as president of his senior class.  He then attended Iowa State College where he studied animal husbandry.  After graduating in 1916, he briefly taught animal husbandry at the University of Georgia.  However, when war broke out he became a World War I flier with the United States Air Corps.  After the war, he returned to Ames where he completed a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics in 1927.  He continued his study of economics, first at the University of Chicago and then at the University of Minnesota where he received his doctorate in 1939.    I.W. Arthur joined the Iowa State Economics Department in 1936.  He became a full professor in 1959.  His duties were divided between extension and teaching.  His extension research and activities included contributions in the areas of farm leases, land tenure, social security, partnership agreements, pork and beef marketing, and rural human capital.  However, his greatest contributions were in undergraduate teaching.  His students admired him both for his kind, compassionate nature and for his straightforward, no-nonsense approach to economic problems.    The Department of Economics at Iowa State is proud to dedicate this seminar to the memory of I.W. Arthur and to the academic spirit that he strived to enhance. The University Book Store will be onsite selling his books at the event.This lecture was recorded and can be viewed on the Available Recordings page.