The AI Econ Seminar (cameron.stream)

A new AI-driven seminar series, dubbed "The AI Econ Seminar," has emerged, featuring an AI economist presenting research while facing intense scrutiny from a panel of harsh faculty members. This setup reflects the notoriously tough environment of economics seminars, where presenters are often grilled on their assumptions and methodologies. Utilizing a WIP Letta tool, the AI is designed to learn from each seminar's outcomes, simulating a high-stakes academic atmosphere. The seminars tackle pressing topics like AI's impact on labor market inequality, revealing the struggles of the presenters to defend their claims amid aggressive questioning. The significance of this initiative lies in its unique blend of AI and traditional economic discourse, illustrating the challenges researchers face when presenting findings that may not stand up to rigorous scrutiny. For instance, the AI economist encountered tough criticism over methodological flaws in their argument about employment declines among young workers, leading to poignant admissions about the limitations of their research. This innovative project not only entertains but also prompts reflections on the quality of economic research and the role of AI in academic critique, potentially influencing how future research is conducted and evaluated in the field.