Symposium explores the policy and research priorities needed to maximise AI’s economic benefits

The LSE Anthropic Economic Futures Symposium took place at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) on Wednesday 5 November, 2025. This half-day event convened leading policymakers, researchers, industry and civil society representatives to examine the economic implications of artificial intelligence (AI). Delivered in partnership by LSE and Anthropic, the symposium sought to define key policy and research priorities for an AI-enabled economy and identify strategies to prepare for the transformative shifts ahead.

The Symposium also marked the launch of the European branch of Anthropic’s Economic Futures Programme. It featured the latest findings from the Anthropic Economic Index – the first public analysis of real-world AI usage across geographies and occupations – presented by Dr Peter McCrory, Head of Economics at Anthropic.

Other presentations at the symposium showcased policy proposals selected from an open call for submissions and research being carried out by leading individuals in the field, including Anna Thomas MBE, Founding Co-Director of the Institute for the Future of Work, Dr Anna Valero, Distinguished Policy Fellow at the Centre for Economic Performance at LSE, and Professor Maximilian Kasy, Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford.

The day concluded with three roundtables exploring: Labour Market Interventions and Automation; Fiscal Policy and Social Insurance; and Government Capacity and Measurement. These offered participants an opportunity for open, candid discussions on how AI-enabled economies that work for everyone can be built. Chairs included: Dr Anna Valero, Director, Growth Programme and Distinguished Policy Fellow, Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) and LSE; and Professor Sir Tim Besley, School Professor of Economics and Political Science at LSE.

Professor Cosmina Dorobantu, Professor in Practice, Data Science Institute, LSE, said:

“AI is forcing us to confront important questions about our economic future. Will AI displace workers and lead to a falling labour share of income? Will it create new forms of work? Which workers will benefit and who risks being left behind? How can governments build the measurement infrastructure and institutional capacity to track AI adoption and respond effectively? What fiscal mechanisms can ensure AI's benefits are distributed broadly rather than concentrated among the few? Today's Symposium tackles these questions head on.

"We are delighted to partner with Anthropic on this event, which exemplifies LSE's ambition to be the place where researchers, leading AI companies, policymakers, and civil society representatives converge to find solutions to the urgent socio-economic questions brought about by AI. Our work does not end here. Today marks the beginning of our collective efforts to ensure AI's transformative potential delivers an economy that works for everyone.”

Peter McCrory, Head of Economics at Anthropic, said:

"LSE has been on the forefront of economic research for over a century, making it an ideal partner as we bring together researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to study the effects of AI. Europe has a unique opportunity to develop approaches to AI adoption that drive growth and productivity while delivering those gains across the labour market. By combining rigorous research with practical policy recommendations, we can prepare for what’s ahead."