The Digitalist Papers
Inspired by the Federalist Papers, The Digitalist Papers series bridges domains and disciplines by assembling experts from multiple fields—including economics, law, technology, management, and political science—alongside industry and civil society leaders.
What would the Federalist Papers say if they were written in the 21st Century?
The Digitalist Papers is an ambitious interdisciplinary project that gives researchers a rare opportunity to explore the impact of technology from a policymaking point of view. It’s one thing to observe the impact of emerging technologies, it’s another entirely to work out how we can best put it to use.
The insights in these essays lay the groundwork for governments, businesses, and institutions to plan for a productive, beneficial future.
The first volume of The Digitalist Papers delves into the critical intersection of AI and democracy.
Released in September 2024, this volume brings together scholars and industry leaders to explore the opportunities and challenges AI presents, offering a range of strategies for a democratic future. Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, it champions a pluralistic, interdisciplinary approach to navigating this transformative era.
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The second volume set its sights on Transformative AI (TAI)–technology that could usher in economic change comparable to the Industrial Revolution but with far greater speed and scope.
With aritificial intelligence technology rapidly advancing, The Digitalist Papers put authors to the task of exploring ways that policymaking can keep up. A great deal of excitement–both optimism and alarm–surrounds TAI , and we believe that with the right guidance, an AI-driven future can benefit us all.
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The authors of The Digitalist Papers Volume 2 tackled questions surrounding policy and Transformative AI.
Stanford University President Jonathan Levin speaks at the launch of our second volume.
Daniel Susskind served as Senior Editor for Volume 2: The Economics of Transformative AI.
The Lab has been has cherished the opportunity to provide a unique platform for some of the greatest minds in economics, policy, and technology.
One of the greatest strengths of the project is the diversity and scope of expertise its many authors bring to the table.
The first volume of The Digitalist Papers launched in the Hoover Institution in September of 2025.
Condoleezza Rice, Erik Brynjolfsson, Nathaniel Persily, and Alex “Sandy” Pentland served as Lead Faculty for our first volume.
The Digitalist Papers Volume 1 focused on the relationship between artificial intelligence and democracy.
Angela Aristidou served as Senior Editor for Volume 1.
Lab Director Erik Brynjolfsson speaks at the launch of Volume 1.
The Digitalist Papers would not be possible without the generous support of Project Liberty Institute and its founder, Frank McCourt.
