Sometime in 2017\, Google researchers developed and demonstrated the 'transformer' architecture\, a fundamentally new way to overcome the human--computer representation problem. Fast forward to 2026 and we see the rapid integration of AI systems through all aspects of modern economic life. I will argue that more than the typical economic lens of general purpose technology\, we should also conceptualise AI systems as a new kind of institutional infrastructure -- a mediating layer that shapes who can participate in the economy\, and on what terms. There is huge potential here for new kinds of economic inclusion\, but also great risks around \;bias\, dependency\, surveillance\, and power concentration. My aim is not to bring answers but prompt a discussion about governance\, autonomy\, and human flourishing in this new Age of AI.
\nSimon Angus is a Professor in the School of Business and Economics at Monash University\, Australia\, and is affiliated as Professor with Impact Labs. He describes his work as computational and complexity science\, applying methods such as numerical simulation\, data science/engineering\, machine learning\, and agent-based modelling across the social\, biological\, and physical sciences\, with increasing focus on projects at the intersection of empirical social science and applied machine learning.
ORGANIZER;CN=Christopher Watkin: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR