Stanford University

WORKSHOP | BY INVITATION ONLY
MARCH 13, 2025

New Measures of the Economy Workshop 2025
March 13, 2025
10:30am - 5:00pm
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Now in its third iteration, this workshop brings together leading economists, researchers, and industry experts to explore the need for innovation in economic measurement. As digital technologies transform the ways we create and exchange value, traditional metrics often fall short in capturing the complexities of a rapidly evolving economy.

This year, the workshop will focus on four key areas where new measurement techniques are emerging and where AI is reshaping work:

  1. GDP-B as a measure of consumer surplus from digital and traditional goods and services
  2. The use of LLMs in social science research
  3. New measures of health outcomes
  4. Robotics and household production

Participants will engage in discussions aimed at advancing methods to better reflect the shifting dynamics of these domains and inform future research and decision-making.

Questions? Please contact David Nguyen or Susan Young. Additional details will be posted here as they become available.

Agenda

All times Pacific

10:30a PT
Welcome


10:40a PT
Keynote
The Measure of Progress: Counting What Matters
Diane Coyle, University of Cambridge


11:15a PT
Session 1: Expanding the Toolkit for Measuring Economic Value
This session will explore cutting-edge approaches to economic measurement, including GDP-B, which aims to account for the benefits of free digital goods and other goods not included in traditional GDP. By examining these emerging frameworks, participants will consider how they address gaps in traditional metrics and what they reveal about the evolving structure of economic value in the digital age.


12:15p PT
Lunch


1:15p PT
Session 2: LLM Agents for Measurement in Social Science Research
Social science research is undergoing a transformation as AI-driven tools unlock new possibilities for data collection, analysis, and interpretation. This session will focus on techniques for quantifying complex social phenomena, the integration of new data sources, and the potential impacts—both benefits and tradeoffs—of automation in research practices.


2:15p PT
Break


2:30p PT
Session 3: Innovations in Health Measurement and AI-Augmented Care
The intersection of health and technology is driving revolutionary changes in how we measure outcomes, access, and the impact of care delivery. This session will highlight novel approaches to health metrics, the role of AI in enhancing precision and accessibility, and the broader implications for policymaking and public health.


3:30p PT
Break


3:45p PT
Session 4: Measuring Household Production in the Age of AI and Robotics
Household production plays a crucial role in the economy, encompassing unpaid labor, caregiving, and domestic productivity. This session will examine how advancements in measurement techniques, including the integration of AI and robotics, are enabling more precise and comprehensive assessments of this domain. Discussions will explore how these innovations can provide new insights into the economic value generated within households.


4:45p PT
Closing Remarks


5:00p PT
Reception
Open to the wider Stanford community


5:45p PT
DEL Seminar (Book Talk) with Diane Coyle
The Measure of Progress: Counting What Matters


6:45p PT
Adjourn

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