Collaborate with a World-Leading Research Center
The MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy (IDE) is shaping a brighter digital future by collaborating with industry, government and non-profits to understand how individuals and organizations will work, interact, and prosper in an era of profound digital transformation. As MIT Sloan's largest corporate-sponsored research initiative, the IDE partners with industry leaders and other key technical departments across MIT to explore how emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Quantum Computing, Digital Platforms and Marketplaces, and Social Media impact individuals, organizations and society.
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#1 University in the World
From 2025 Rankings by US News & World Report and the QS World University Rankings.
12 Programs Ranked #1 or #2
Ranked #1 or #2 by US News & World Report in the most important disciplines for exploring our digital future.
Electrical Engineering
Math
Finance
Computer Science
Statistics & OR
Information Systems
Data Science
Management
Operations
Artificial Intelligence
Accounting
Supply Chain & Logistics
Join Our Community
Active Research Groups
AI, Marketplaces, and Labor Economics
Professor John Horton works at the intersection of GenAI, labor economics, and marketplace design to explore the impact of emerging technologies on the work of the future, online marketpaces and public policy. He is former Chief Economist for oDesk, one of the leading online labor markets.
LEARN MOREHuman-First AI
Professor Renée Richardson Gosline is an expert on the connection between behavioral science and technology, with a focus on where friction and “Human In The Loop” can make for a better experience for the work force and for customers.
LEARN MOREMisinformation & Fake News
Professor Dave Rand bridges the fields of behavioral economics and psychology to explore the perceived accuracy of false news, the dynamics and impact of social media, and the persuasiveness of LLMs. Using digital experiments with human subjects as well as real-world data from many of the leading online platforms, Rand and his team test interventions that can influence regulatory policies as well as business decisions to improve the accuracy of social media and other digital platforms.
LEARN MORENew Data Analytics
Professor Dean Eckles combines digital experimentation and causal inference to help business leaders make more informed decisions. His work examines the impact of digital technologies on such areas as consumer demand, worker productivity, political mobilization and public health. He is a former Scientist at Facebook, Nokia and Yahoo!
LEARN MORETech for Good
IDE Co-Director Andrew McAfee focuses on organizations for our new AI and digital age: how norms of speed, ownership, science and openness can propel the success of firms to be not just mistake-proof, but fault tolerant. He’s the author of The Geek Way, More from Less and The Second Machine Age.
LEARN MORETechnologies that Create Prosperity
Professor Neil Thompson is the director of both the IDE Research on AI and Quantum Computing, and the FutureTech Lab at CSAIL. where his group studies the economic and technical foundations of progress in computing - pace of AI development, labor market implications, and use cases for quantum computing.
LEARN MOREGenerative AI & Decentralization
IDE Co-Director Sinan Aral's group researches how generative, decentralizing technologies - such as LLMs and blockchain - affect power, scalability and productivity. Combining big data and rigorous experimentation, the team works to analyze the impact of AI personalization, Agentic Negotiation, and the impact of AI on human decision making.
LEARN MOREBenefits of Engaging with the IDE
Early Access
Obtain early insights into our latest research on AI, quantum, and platform markets for a competitive edge. Spur innovation within your firm at all levels, from C-Suite and board members to all parts of the organization.
Events & Outreach
Participate as an attendee and/or speaker in the IDE's 12+ events per year and network with industry leaders, MIT faculty and grad students.
Executive Education
Upskill your employees (at a member discount!) in online and in-person courses taught by world-leading MIT faculty.
Student Projects
Partner with a team of MIT grad students to solve business challenges using ML or GenAI.
Collaborative Research
Tackle grand challenges facing your company or the world with collaborative teams including your employees partnering with MIT researchers.
Talent
Hire MIT grad students in tech or business fields through a wide variety of engagement and recruitment opportunities for internships or full-time positions.
Spotlight
Share, discuss, and debate your firm's view on how we can and must embrace technology to drive dynamic and meaningful business outcomes, economic policy, and social change.
Make a Difference
Fuel our research engine and enable IDE scholars to generate world-changing insights that address the grand challenges of our time.
Connect With Us
Ready to join the IDE?
Schedule a consultation to discuss how an IDE membership can drive competitive advantage for your organization
Albert Scerbo
Associate Director of the IDE
Email: ascerbo@mit.edu