Munich Economic Debates
In our Munich Economic Debates lecture series, the ifo Institute invites thought leaders from the worlds of academia and business to share with us their thoughts and concepts on current economic policy ideas and challenges. Every six months we’ll invite four to five high-level speakers to Munich to present their position on a highly topical economic policy issue. Our host is the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria located in the center of Munich.
The event is an initiative of the CESifo research network, the ifo Institute and Süddeutsche Zeitung. Live streams and reporting in the Süddeutsche Zeitung and other media make the findings accessible to a broader public.
Current series from January 2024 until June 2024
AI as an Engine of the Future – Opportunities and Challenges For Companies and Society
How much revolution is there in the hype around artificial intelligence? Since AI has become available to the general public, its penetration has reached a new stage – and there is still no governance that defines a set of rules. More and more companies and institutions are experimenting with AI. Proponents expect benefits such as greater efficiency of workflows, support for and relief of human activities, and the possibility of developing new business models. Critics see risks in a lack of control over this technology, as well as in job losses and data protection. The European Parliament has already drafted a regulation on the use of artificial intelligence. What potential do AI technologies offer for various sectors of the German and European economies? What risks does the unrestricted availability of AI entail? How do we take these risks into account without limiting potential? Can and should policymakers establish meaningful frameworks?
