AI systems are beginning to act on our behalf — executing tasks, making decisions, and influencing daily life in ways that often escape direct human oversight. What are the consequences of delegating decision-making to systems we don’t fully understand? How do we design AI to enhance human capabilities without sidelining human judgment?

In this episode, host Aleksander Mądry welcomes Jonathan Zittrain, Professor at Harvard Law School and Co-Founder of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. They explore the legal, ethical, and societal challenges of living alongside increasingly autonomous AI. Drawing on lessons from the internet’s evolution, Zittrain examines how we can structure responsibility, foster innovation, and build systems that truly serve the public good — all while navigating the profound opportunities and risks of this technological transformation.

As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, it raises urgent questions about trust, accountability, and human agency. What happens when people over-rely on AI or when helpful tools are held back by perfectionism? Can we deploy imperfect systems while still earning public confidence?

While the rapid development of AI technology promises unprecedented productivity gains and innovations, concerns of job displacement and increasing inequality persist. How can we ensure AI complements human labor rather than replacing it? What measures can we take to prevent a dystopian AI future?

Erik Brynjolfsson is a professor at Stanford University and has pioneered research on the economics of information technology and AI. In this episode, Erik discusses the potential for AI to enhance job productivity, complement our workforce, and boost economic growth at scales comparable to the Industrial Revolution while also exploring potential negative futures and strategies to avoid them.