A Blueprint for Keeping Humans in Control of AI
New research teaches independent AI agents to ask for help — and builds oversight of models we don’t fully trust.
David Rubenstein on Leading the Parade
The D.C. denizen reflects on his time in Jimmy Carter’s White House, recalls how he got into leveraged buyouts, and shares why he thinks you're not working hard enough if you never fail.
Ask for More Pay and Get Penalized, Stay Quiet and Fall Behind
New research finds that class shapes not just who negotiates for higher salaries, but who pays a price for speaking up.
How Falling Interest Rates Widened Americans’ Wealth Gap
Low interest rates fueled an asset boom that benefited the wealthy — and would amplify the hit of potential Social Security cuts on low-income retirees.
The Dollar’s Dominance Is Eroding
Investors are increasingly eying alternatives to the world’s strongest currency.
AI Could Uncover the Hidden Ways People Work Together
The winners of the AI for Organizations Grand Challenge believe that identifying the “grammar of coordination” could have profound implications for the future of work.
Latest Stories
Idea Stories Opensearch
March 20, 2024
Written
A Little Fun — and a Discount — Can Steer Kids to Healthier Foods
A first-of-its-kind study finds that children respond to pricing incentives when buying their own snacks.

March 20, 2024
Audio
More Than a Feeling: The Keys to Making the Right Choice
If we want to make better decisions, then we need to think more like an artist.

March 19, 2024
Audio
How to Chat with Bots: The Secrets to Getting the Information You Need from AI
In this episode, Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar explain how LLMs can help teams supercharge their problem-solving.

March 15, 2024
Written
“Geoeconomics” Explains How Countries Flex Their Financial Muscles
Competition between the U.S. and China brings new relevance to the study of international economic power.

March 12, 2024
Audio
Short Takes: Where Science Meets Culture
Technology and culture can empower your teams to achieve winning results.

March 07, 2024
Written
What People Really Think About Search Engine Ads. (You Might Be Surprised.)
Are search ads convenient or annoying? New data bolsters one side of this long-running debate.

March 06, 2024
Audio
The Brain Gain: The Impact of Immigration on American Innovation
If the United States wants to remain a global hub of innovation, then we need to understand the role of immigrants.

March 05, 2024
Written
To Discover Breakthrough Ideas, Look to the Outsiders
An AI-boosted search for prescient ideas finds they’re more likely to come from the periphery than the core.

February 28, 2024
Audio
The Function of Friction: How to Use Obstacles to Your Advantage
Professor Hayagreeva “Huggy” Rao explains why resistance isn’t always a bad thing.

February 26, 2024
Written
Car Loans Are a Hidden Driver of the Ride-Sharing Economy
Uber’s and Lyft’s business models depend on low-income drivers. What happens when they can’t afford wheels?

February 22, 2024
Written
Tax Cuts in the UK Gave an Unexpected Boost to African Economies
Domestic tax policies can have unintended effects around the world.

February 20, 2024
Audio
So Crazy, It Might Just Work: How Foolishness Feeds Innovation
If we want to seriously address the climate crisis, then we need to encourage foolish business ideas.

February 20, 2024
Written
How to Get Beyond Talk of “Culture Change” and Make It Happen
Experts outline their roadmap for intentionally changing the culture of businesses, social networks, and beyond.

February 20, 2024
Audio
Short Takes: Pioneering a Holistic Approach to Speech Therapy in Kenya
How an unexpected entrepreneur used her passion and persistence to gain recognition for speech therapy in Kenya.

February 13, 2024
Audio
Seen & Heard: How to Make Your Audience Feel Understood
In this episode, David Brooks unpacks why listening is deep, creative work.

February 07, 2024
Audio
You’re in Charge: How to Use AI as a Powerful Decision-Making Tool
If we focus on the jobs rather than the emotions, then AI can be a powerful decision-making tool.

February 06, 2024
Written
Conflict Among Hospital Staff Could Compromise Care
Disrespectful group dynamics on medical teams may contribute to errors and patient deaths.

February 02, 2024
Written
The Hidden Costs of Clicking the “Buy Now, Pay Later” Button
The market for instant online credit has exploded. But it comes with big downsides for some borrowers.

February 01, 2024
Written
Career Advice: How to Become a “Friction Fixer”
Tips for eliminating those annoying obstacles that get in the way of your best work.

February 01, 2024
Written
Public Pensions Are Mixing Risky Investments with Unrealistic Predictions
An analysis of U.S. pension plans questions their managers’ financial optimism.

January 24, 2024
Audio
Hardwired for Hierarchy: Our Relationship With Power
If we want to change power structures, then we need to understand the animal forces that drive our behavior.

January 24, 2024
Audio
Zoom In... or Out? Why Face-to-Face Meetings Matter
If we want to generate better ideas, then we need to get people back to the office.

January 22, 2024
Written
A.I. Can Help “Personalize” Policies to Reach the Right People
Combining the power of experiments with the potential of machine learning has tremendous implications for designing more effective public policy.

January 17, 2024
Video
Class Takeaways — Data Science and AI Strategy
Five lessons in five minutes: Associate Professor Kuang Xu shares how to harness new technology to solve business problems.
