Academic center · Science policy · Cambridge, MA · Est. 2019
MIT FutureTech is an interdisciplinary research group at MIT that studies the foundations of progress in computing—identifying the most important technical and economic trends driving advancements in AI and computing, and examining how these trends underpin scientific progress and economic prosperity. The group’s purpose is to produce academically rigorous insights intended to inform business and policy decisions, including by quantifying the pace at which technological capabilities emerge and analyzing the implications of adoption.
Research at FutureTech spans economics and computer science, with an explicit focus on how AI capabilities translate into economically meaningful outcomes, and on evidence-based guidance relevant to scientific reliability, productivity growth, and AI risk/governance.
No curated programs yet. Check the careers page ↗.
FutureTech posted a September 15, 2026 update arguing the economic evidence does not support a simple choice between mass unemployment and widespread human augmentation, and instead suggests divergent and time-varying labor-market outcomes across occupations and employers.
Wall Street Journal quotes Neil ThompsonFutureTech posted a June 18, 2026 update indicating the Wall Street Journal quoted FutureTech Director Neil Thompson regarding potential upsides of AI’s impact on the economy.
Peterson Institute invites MIT FutureTech for scenario workshopFutureTech posted that on June 18, 2026 it contributed to a Peterson Institute for International Economics scenario workshop related to a vision of U.S. society in 2030.
Three Ways to Think About AI and JobsFutureTech posted on June 11, 2026 that research it highlights was featured in The Atlantic discussing whether automation will make human workers obsolete.
EAG Workshop London hosts MIT FutureTechFutureTech posted that its team attended Effective Altruism Global (EAG) London 2026 and met with multiple organizations; it also notes excitement from AI economics and AI safety/governance communities.
Real reasons AI gains are slow: expertsFutureTech posted April 17, 2026 describing a panel discussion at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings and emphasizing adoption (“last mile” costs) as a hurdle to realizing AI productivity gains.