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
November 20, 2020
Audio
Feelings First: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences
In this episode, we discuss how recognizing your audience’s emotional needs can help you achieve your communication goals.

November 20, 2020
Written
Artificial Intelligence, Cultural Diversity, and a Giant “Bag of Words”
How machine learning helped researchers sort through 500,000 Glassdoor reviews to weigh the benefits of workplace diversity.

November 19, 2020
Written
A Year in Stories: Top Ten Picks of 2020
We’ve gathered together the most memorable articles, interviews, podcasts, and videos from a year of world-changing events.

November 16, 2020
Written
How a Restaurateur Is Navigating the Pandemic
Sales at America’s biggest restaurant franchisee plunged 60% after COVID-19 hit, but the company survived. Why? “The strength of the team,” says owner Greg Flynn.

November 12, 2020
Audio
“We Don’t Know Each Other Anymore in This Country’’
In this podcast episode, political leaders Deval Patrick and Jeff Flake discuss what needs to be done to make progress toward democracy for all in the U.S.

November 11, 2020
Video
Your Brand Needs Social Engagement
Connect with consumers in a personal way to extend the reach of your marketing.

November 11, 2020
Video
What We Can Learn From E-commerce in China
China’s integrated ecosystems merge search, social, and retail.

November 10, 2020
Written
Don’t Let Politics Poison the Workplace: Some Advice from Business School Experts
Political polarization may creep into the workplace. Here are some ways managers can become peacekeepers.

November 06, 2020
Written
The Costs and Benefits of Supply Chain Transparency
Should firms be required to disclose the negative social impacts of their suppliers? A new study investigates that question from the perspective of investors.

November 06, 2020
Audio
Look Within: How to Lead with Self Awareness and Vulnerability
In this podcast episode, we explore how good leaders can self reflect and better communicate to advance social justice.

October 29, 2020
Audio
“The State of the Nation Is Dependent on Getting Equity Right”
In this podcast episode, an expert in racial and economic equity explains why ending discrimination is a democratic, economic, and national imperative.

October 22, 2020
Audio
Under Pressure: How to Communicate During a Crisis
In this episode, we discuss how leaders can communicate effectively when their organization, brand, or reputation is under attack.

October 21, 2020
Written
Deciphering the American Voter
Stanford researchers measure the depth of our partisan divide — and suggest some ways to bridge it.

October 21, 2020
Written
The Secrets of Political Persuasion
Stanford researchers study the various tactics that politicians use to get voters on their side, from “moral reframing” to two-faced deception.

October 20, 2020
Written
You Might Be Trying to Get the Wrong People to Vote Your Way
If you want to be efficient when it comes to influencing others, focus on those who are already (sort of) on your side.

October 15, 2020
Audio
“We Need to Stop Tiptoeing Around Race”
In this podcast episode, corporate diversity experts discuss the challenge of creating paths for inclusion.

October 15, 2020
Written
The Good, the Bad, and the What-Ifs Heading into Election 2020
From smarter polling to growing distrust in government, a political economist lays out what you should expect this November.

October 14, 2020
Video
If You Want to Change the World, You Need Power (2)
Cultivate your network and think strategically to rise in your career.

October 14, 2020
Written
What Elite Donors Want
Big-money donors, both Democrat and Republican, not only have more political influence than the average voter, they also have more extreme beliefs.

October 13, 2020
Video
If You Want to Change the World, You Need Power (1)
Motivating teams requires ambition, confidence, and empathy.

October 09, 2020
Audio
Words Matter: How to Make Your Communication Inclusive
In this episode, we discuss how subtle word choice can invite inclusion, or can reinforce harmful stereotypes.

October 08, 2020
Written
Anat Admati on Milton Friedman and Justice
Friedman’s credo that corporations should focus only on maximizing shareholder value rests on assumptions that are “far from true in the real world.”

October 05, 2020
Written
The Good and Bad of Measuring Worker Output in Real Time
Quantification boosts productivity if the task is simple, but demotivates if the task is complex, a Stanford study finds.

September 25, 2020
Audio
Question Your Questions: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication
In this episode, we discuss how curiosity and storytelling can lead to more innovative online and in-person communication.
