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  1. Economist Podcasts
  2. Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data
Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data

Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data

Economist Podcasts · Feb 27, 2026

Why isn't AI boosting economic data? Plus, a look at escalating jihadist violence in Nigeria and the life of a 105-year-old lobster lady.

Nigeria's Security Crisis is Driven by Competing Jihadist Splinter Groups and Criminal Bandits

Violence in Nigeria is not from a single entity like Boko Haram, which has splintered. The crisis is a complex interplay between competing jihadist factions and non-ideological criminal "bandits." These groups compete for territory and resources, creating a chaotic and rapidly spreading conflict.

Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data thumbnail

Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data

Economist Podcasts·5 months ago

AI Time-Savings Don't Always Translate to Increased Output; Workers Often Reinvest It in Leisure

Productivity models often wrongly assume time saved by AI is redeployed into other work. In reality, many employees use efficiency gains to finish early. This 'human slack' factor dampens macro-level productivity gains, except in highly driven fields like tech, where workers use it to work even more.

Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data thumbnail

Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data

Economist Podcasts·5 months ago

True AI Productivity Gains Come from Reorganizing Businesses, Not Just Using Tools

The productivity boom from AI won't materialize from workers simply using new tools. Citing historical parallels with electricity and computers, the real gains are unlocked only when companies fundamentally restructure their operations and business models around the technology.

Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data thumbnail

Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data

Economist Podcasts·5 months ago

Quantify AI's Real-Time Productivity Impact by Multiplying Adoption, Usage, and Efficiency

A simple framework to estimate AI's current economic impact multiplies three key metrics: the percentage of workers using AI (~40%), their weekly usage intensity (~2 hours), and the average task efficiency gain (15-30%). This calculation reveals a modest but tangible current productivity increase.

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Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data

Economist Podcasts·5 months ago

Reactive Military Deployments in Nigeria Often Trigger More Civilian Violence After Troops Withdraw

Sending troops after an attack in Nigeria can be counterproductive. The military is too overstretched to maintain a presence, so the intervention often provokes reprisal attacks against local communities once the soldiers have left, increasing long-term risk for civilians.

Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data thumbnail

Bot the difference: AI’s absence in economic data

Economist Podcasts·5 months ago