Political economy of AI

This research line focuses on the political economy of AI. Drawing on contributions from economics, management, political science, sociology, psychology, history, and science and technology studies, we examine the economic and political structures that underpin innovation and digital transformations in the age of AI.

More specifically, we study how different forms of AI (predictive, generative and transformative/agentic AI), and their interaction with other technologies of the second digital wave—such as robotics, the data-driven economy and collaborative platforms—transform behaviour, activities and key socioeconomic outcomes. In particular, the following topics are addressed:

Economic analysis of predictive, generative and transformative AI. Digital transition and the data- and task-based economy. The society of intelligent machines.
AI-based innovation and firms’ dynamic capabilities. Superstars, market concentration and digital capitalism.
Automation and new AI-based productivity paradoxes. Economic growth decoupled from quality and people. AI, regrowth and degrowth. Sustainable value.
Distributive impacts of AI on work and inequality. Effects on well-being and health in AI-based lives. Ethical and responsible governance of AI.

Selected recent publications:

Torrent-Sellens, J. (2024). Digital transition, data-and-tasks crowd-based economy, and the shared social progress: unveiling a new political economy from a European perspective. Technology in Society, 79, 102739.

Torrent-Sellens, J. (2024). Homo digitalis: narrative for a new political economy of digital transformation and transition. New Policital Economy, 29(1), 125-143.