The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has appointed David Autor, one of the world’s foremost labor economists, as the new head of its Department of Economics, effective July 1. Autor, currently the Daniel (1972) and Gail Rubinfeld Professor in the MIT Department of Economics, brings three decades of research into how automation and globalization reshape job markets, skill demands, and economic inequality.
His appointment follows the completion of Jon Gruber’s tenure as department head, who led the department since July 2023. In his new role, Autor plans to reinforce the department’s academic excellence while addressing financial pressures and evolving policy challenges. “I want to build on the strong foundation set by our faculty and students,” Autor said, “while positioning the department to seize opportunities created by advances in artificial intelligence—both in research and in how we educate future economists.”
A Scholar at the Intersection of Technology and Labor
Autor’s work has consistently examined the dual forces of technological disruption and global integration, particularly their effects on employment polarization, wage gaps, and political behavior. His research has illuminated how routine-based jobs decline while demand surges for both high-skill cognitive roles and low-wage service positions. This line of inquiry has made him a trusted advisor to policymakers and a frequent commentator in academic and public debates on the future of work.
He currently serves as faculty co-director of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work at MIT, where his insights help shape interdisciplinary approaches to economic challenges. Outside MIT, he co-directs the National Bureau of Economic Research’s Labor Studies Program, a role that underscores his influence in shaping national research agendas.
From Tufts to MIT: A Career Shaped by Collaboration
Autor’s journey to MIT began at Tufts University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1989. He later pursued a PhD in public policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, completing it in 1999—the same year he joined MIT as a faculty member. “I’ve been at MIT since 1999, and I owe my career to the Institute, the department, and colleagues who are as kind as they are accomplished,” he reflected. “Stepping into this role is a chance to contribute to a place that has shaped me at every stage.”
His scholarship has earned him numerous accolades, including the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship, and the Sherwin Rosen Prize for contributions to labor economics. In 2019, he received the Andrew Carnegie Fellowship, followed by the Society for Progress Medal in 2021. His teaching has also been widely recognized, with awards such as the MIT MacVicar Faculty Fellowship, the James A. and Ruth Levitan Award for excellence in teaching, and multiple student-led commendations.
Recognizing Impact: From NBER to Global Recognition
Autor’s influence extends beyond academia. In 2020, he received the Heinz 25th Special Recognition Award from the Heinz Family Foundation for redefining how globalization and technology affect American workers’ job prospects and earnings. His ability to translate complex economic trends into actionable insights has made him a sought-after voice in policy circles.
In 2023, he was named one of two NOMIS Distinguished Scientists across all scientific fields, honoring his interdisciplinary contributions. Most recently, in 2024, he was selected as one of five senior scholars as an AI2050 Senior Fellow by the Schmidt Sciences Foundation—a recognition tied directly to his work at the nexus of AI and labor markets.
Looking Ahead: Economics in an AI-Driven World
As head of the MIT Economics Department, Autor’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment. Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are transforming industries, reshaping job requirements, and redefining the skills needed for economic participation. His appointment signals a strategic pivot toward integrating AI into both research and pedagogy, ensuring students and faculty remain at the forefront of these changes.
The department’s leadership now rests on a scholar whose career embodies the intersection of rigorous economics, policy relevance, and technological foresight. Under Autor’s guidance, the department is poised to navigate budget constraints and shifting academic landscapes while seizing the intellectual opportunities presented by AI—a field he has long studied and will now help redefine.
AI summary
MIT Ekonomi Bölümü’nün yeni başkanı David Autor, otomasyon ve AI’nin işgücü piyasalarına etkilerini araştıracak. Bütçe kısıtları ve geleceğin iş modelleri için stratejiler geliştiriyor.
