Ep. 49 (AI Futures) - Will AI Transform the Existing Economic Growth Model? Iqbal Dhaliwal, J-PAL, MIT | Anirudh Suri

In this episode of the AI Futures Podcast, Anirudh Suri sits down with Iqbal Dhaliwal, the Global Executive Director of MIT’s Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), at the India AI Impact Summit. They explore the shift from traditional technology in development to the rapid rise of AI, focusing on how countries like India can leverage these tools for the public good while avoiding common pitfalls of "hype" over "impact."This interview explores the evolving role of technology in global development, specifically comparing historical innovations like the Green Revolution to the rapid, multimodal rise of artificial intelligence. Dhaliwal emphasizes that while AI offers unprecedented speed and accessibility, it should be viewed as a functional enabler rather than a standalone solution. He critiques the current tendency to prioritize user engagement metrics over tangible life outcomes, urging development practitioners to focus on rigorous impact evaluation. Our discussion also highlights the need for locally-derived applications that address specific regional challenges, such as South Asian healthcare needs or tax compliance. Ultimately, Iqbal suggests that for nations like India to succeed, they must balance technological adoption with supportive labor policies and a commitment to democratizing research.0:00 – Introduction 1:30 – From Seeds to Laptops: The History of Tech in Development 3:45 – Why the AI Revolution is "Breathtakingly" Different 6:15 – Economists vs. Technologists: Who Should Lead? 8:30 – AI as an Enabler: The Brazil Essay Grading Case Study A practical example of AI in action10:45 – The Problem with "Vanity Metrics" in AI Dhaliwal critiques the focus on "intermediate outcomes" like downloads and subscribers, and that true impact must be measured by final outcomes.13:20 – Avoiding the "AI Trap": Call Centers vs. High-Tech A warning against being a "solution in search of a problem"15:45 – Why Local Context Matters: Silicon Valley vs. India The conversation explores the gap between Western "labor-replacing" tech and the need for "labor-enhancing" tech in India18:15 – India as a "Digital Outlier" India is described as being on the "right side of the digital divide" for the first time.20:30 – Policy Advice: Fixing the Labor-AI Incentive Gap Dhaliwal offers advice for the Labor Minister.22:45 – Using AI for Progressive Taxation For the Finance Minister, Dhaliwal suggests the focus areas.25:00 – Democratizing Tech at the AI Impact Summit A reflection on how the India AI Impact Summit democratized access to tech leaders like Sam Altman and Sundar Pichai, moving beyond a small circle of intellectuals to reach the public.27:30 – Launching the "Evaluation Playbook" About Anirudh SuriAnirudh Suri is the host of the AI Futures Podcast and the "Great Tech Game" series. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School’s MPP program and has a professional background in venture capital, which he uses to bridge the gap between frontier technology and economic policy. His work focuses on how the "Global Tech Game" is shifting and how countries like India can navigate the evolving geopolitical and technological landscape.About Iqbal DhaliwalIqbal Dhaliwal is the Global Executive Director of MIT’s Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). An economist by training and an alumnus of Princeton, he has dedicated his career to using rigorous evaluation to improve development outcomes worldwide. In addition to his leadership at MIT, he serves on the boards of several high-impact organizations, including Rocket Learning, Nura Health, and Adalat AI, where he helps guide the application of technology for the public good.#AI #India #EconomicDevelopment #MIT #JPAL #TechForGood #IndiaAIImpactSummit #AnirudhSuri #IqbalDhaliwal #DigitalDivide #PublicGood #Innovation #Policy #FutureOfWork