#AcademicRunPlaylist - 2/15/24

We probably got more snow in a few hours tonight than on our "snow day" from earlier this week, but at least I got some idyllic scenery to enjoy while listening to talks for my #AcademicRunPlaylist!

First was a great talk by Deepak Hegde on the effects of patent disclosure requirements on knowledge diffusion and firm outcomes at the Mannheim Centre for Competition and Innovation (MaCCI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCsRcRXlebo

Next was an excellent talk by Ken Holstein on evaluating worker-facing AI systems using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods at the UC Irvine Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. Holstein presents a rich view of researchers' new favorite AI-augmented workplace - the Allegheny County social work hotline, showing the complex interactions between algorithmic and management choices and stakeholder outcomes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djon4t4juUY

Next was a fantastic conversation with Johnnie Kallas on labor activity in the US at The Burnes Center for Social Change. The numbers here are staggering, with a huge upsurge in strike activity compared to recent years (although still very low by historical standards). Highly recommend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naCvOPlc_F0

Next was an interesting talk by Antoine Dubus on a theoretical model of the value of firm data complementarities in M&A at MaCCI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRGopTNYraY

Next was a fascinating talk by Vittorio Bassi on worker assignment on assembly lines and overall productivity at the CEPR - Centre for Economic Policy Research https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6KJlL3TmbQ

Next was an engaging conversation on innovations in digital trade agreements at the Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub with Patrick Leblond (👋), Stephanie Honey, and Joshua Meltzer. This is from almost four years ago but is still relevant, and it's instructive to look back on this panel (particularly with the developments on the AI front) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M5Dqg3QWcQ

Last was an incredible discussion on anti-monopoly pressure groups throughout US history at the Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State with Mehrsa Baradaran, Eli Cook, and Luigi Zingales. This is an extremely rich conversation, getting into the racist history of banking antitrust, historical antitrust efforts and their effects/motivations, and more. Highly recommend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nokxeh1-MBs