Economists keep telling us that Artificial Intelligence will boost productivity, create better jobs, and make everyone richer. Yet reality seems unconvinced. Why aren’t the trillion-dollar “AI revolutions” showing up in productivity data, wages, or general wellbeing? Are the current job losses AI-caused or AI-washed? Dr Elena Papagiannaki explores what mainstream economics gets wrong about technology, work, and the future, exposing the blind spots behind their shiny graphs and confident forecasts. This talk questions whether economics is equipped to understand AI at all, or whether it’s time to rethink how we explain progress, work, and intelligence itself.
About the speaker:
Dr Elena Papagiannaki is a Lecturer in Economics at Edinburgh Napier University and a Research Fellow at the Institute for the Future of Work (London). Her research explores class, AI, and labour through a political economy lens, focusing on how technology reshapes work and value. Elena also brings her research to the public through her Edinburgh Fringe show.
Attendance:
This event is free. No ticket is required. We operate on a first come first served basis. It's relatively rare that we fill up the function room, but please be aware that if things are looking busy, the earlier you get there the less chance there is of not getting in.
Although the event is free, we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn't end up in anyone's pocket - it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield.
Accessibility:
The Admiral Woods Bar now has a functioning lift which can take wheelchair users (or others who are unable to manage stairs) down to the function room. There is also a disabled toilet in the function room area.
