Hardly Working with Brent Orrell

Contemporary differences between rural and urban areas in America have their roots in long-term demographic, economic, technological, and social factors. Brent and the Brookings Institution’s Tony Pipa are hosting conversations “On the Front Porch” with authors of recent research on issues facing rural America. These discussions explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural America and consider policy options to promote development and opportunity. Today, we bring you a recent conversation with economist Carol Graham. Graham’s recent book The Power of Hope: How the Science of Well-Being Can Save Us from Despair discusses the role that hope plays in supporting the development of individuals and communities in America.

As technology marches on, what kind of world are we moving towards? According to AEI senior fellow Jim Pethokoukis, it’s an abundant and prosperous one, at least potentially. So long as we play our cards right–and embrace what he calls an “UpWing” technology and growth policies we will reap the benefits of what many find to be destabilizing, disorienting change. This week on Hardly Working, Brent speaks with Pethokoukis about his book The Conservative Futurist: How to Create the Sci-Fi World We Were Promised and how we can best manage the steps toward the UpWing future. Mentioned in this episode The Third Century: America's Resurgence in the Asian Era Nouriel Roubini For All Mankind Faster, Please! Extrapolations Derek Thompson Ezra Klein Lost in Space The Martian Interstellar Prophet of Innovation

In a world of specialists, generalists sometimes seem like people without a country. That may be changing. In an age of specialized–and increasingly powerful– AI tools, going broad rather than narrow may increasingly be valuable. Today on Hardly Working, Vikram Mansharamani returns to the podcast to discuss his personal and professional journey as a self-described generalist. His recent memoir The Making of a Generalist narrates his journey from a kid curious about everything to one of the nation’s most sought-after thinkers and advisors on questions of calling and career. We hope you enjoy this conversation.

Divides between rural and urban America have their roots in longstanding demographic, economic, technological, and social factors. In a new event series, AEI’s Brent Orrell and the Brookings Institution’s Tony Pipa are hosting a series of conversations “On the Front Porch” with authors of recent research on issues facing rural America. These discussions explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural America and consider policy options to promote development and opportunity. Today on Hardly Working, we bring you the first of these events, a conversation with Nicholas F. Jacobs, the author of the recent book The Rural Voter: The Politics of Place and the Disuniting of America, which examines the state of politics in rural America. Orrell, Pipa, and Jacobs consider the book’s central claim that rural Americans have in recent years combined a deep sense of connection to place with increasingly nationalized policy and political concerns to form a distinct voting bloc. They also discuss the history of rural America; the social, cultural, and economic forces that have affected it in recent years; and the popular notion of a stark rural-urban divide. Overall, they emphasize the importance of dispelling myths about rural America to overcome distrust and disunity. Mentioned in this Episode Reimagining Rural Policy Initiative General Social Survey Omaha Platform of 1892 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance Federalism American Exchange Project

In recent years, confidence in higher education has plummeted. This decline has prompted a vigorous debate on the role of all types of post-secondary education. In their recent book America’s Hidden Economic Engines: How Community Colleges Can Drive Shared Prosperity, Robert B. Schwartz and Rachel Lipson make the case for the value of community colleges. Surveying five case studies across the US–in Ohio, Virginia, Arizona, Texas, and Mississippi–they argue that community colleges serve as “engines” of social mobility for individuals and communities. Their research shows that community colleges have proven remarkably effective at mitigating economic inequality and promoting social engagement and economic development. Today, Brent sits down with Lipson and Schwartz to discuss what their research means for students and policymakers. Mentioned in this episode Year Up Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Pathways to Prosperity Network Lorain County Community College Pima Community College Lightcast The Coleman Report Raj Chetty Opportunity Insights

As artificial intelligence (AI) bounds ahead, many are rightfully concerned about the risks and ethical issues it raises. Perhaps some of the most practical of these is the potential that AI will be biased against minority populations because of deficiencies in the data used to build it. If true, this would have serious implications for human resources and hiring. Today, Brent sits down with Keith Sonderling, a commissioner on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC. Sonderling delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by the integration of AI into the workplace, particularly in hiring and employment decisions. And he emphasizes the complexity of AI and the difficulty – yet necessity – of regulating it so that it can benefit everyone. We hope you enjoy this conversation. Mentioned in this Episode Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Fair Labor Standards Act Family Medical Leave Act Goldman Sachs on AI’s Impact on the Labor Market World Economic Forum on AI’s Impact on the Labor Market New York Local Law 144 European Union AI Act Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

Many urban Americans have come to believe that there’s a growing chasm separating urban and rural America. While urban America bounds ahead, rural America, many assume, is being left behind, struggling with material and spiritual impoverishment, and cultural confusion. This week on Hardly Working, Brent talks with University of Southern California professor Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, who dispels some of the myths about the so-called urban-rural divide. Currid-Halkett and Brent discuss her fantastic book The Overlooked Americans: The Resilience of Our Rural Towns and What it Means For Our Country, which Brent reviewed for the Dispatch in September. As you’ll hear, rural America is doing a lot better than you might think. Mentioned in this episode Jane Jacobs University of Chicago General Social Survey Raj Chetty Posse Foundation American Exchange Project Times/Siena Poll on Trump's advantage in battleground states

Regrettably, the debate about post-secondary education has devolved into just another culture war issue with one camp saying “everyone go to college” and another saying “skip college learn a trade.” Today, Brent sits down with Ben Wildavsky, a visiting scholar at the University of Virginia’s School of Education and Human Development, who challenges this false dichotomy. In his recent book “The Career Arts,” Wildavsky argues that education, job, and career success require integrating broad-based skills (such as those acquired through a liberal arts and social science education) with more narrow, technical skills (such as those acquired through credential programs). Such integration, Wildavsky contends, supports well-rounded and resilient workers who can more easily adapt to an unpredictable and rapidly changing economy. Mentioned in this Episode Strada Education Foundation College wage premium Larry Katz Tony Carnevale Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce Project Basta Climb Higher Western Governors University Point Loma Nazarene University Seth Bodnar, president, University of Montana Society for Human Research Management Skills-based hiring

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at breakneck speed. Michael Chui, a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), leads research on how this technology is reshaping business, the economy, and society more broadly. According to MGI, the next wave of AI-generated productivity improvements will send shockwaves through the labor market as it reaches–and surpasses–human-level ability across a wide range of skills but ultimately make the entire world wealthier and healthier. We hope you enjoy this conversation. Mentioned in this Episode McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) MGI report: The Economic Potential of Generative AI Accenture report: Strategy at the Pace of Technology Study on AI's capacity for theory of mind John Maynard Keynes

Today, we continue to explore Appalachia with Chris Stirewalt, a senior fellow at AEI. Stirewalt, who grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia, speaks to Brent about the unique culture and values of Appalachia, the role that strong families and institutions play in the region’s success, and potential solutions to the region’s challenges, from its opioid epidemic to educational “brain drain.” He also takes us through much of the history of the region, offering deep insight into the region’s identity. As you’ll hear, Stirewalt is optimistic about Appalachia and confident that the region can overcome its most difficult challenges. Mentioned in this Episode More than a Paycheck Deaths of despair Anne Case and Angus Deaton Jay Rockefeller Robert Byrd Big White Ghetto by Kevin Williams Randy Moss West Virginia Hills by Reverend David King

The media has told us a very straightforward, and depressing, story about Appalachia: it is a region that is being left behind as the rest of the U.S. economy chugs on; it’s a destitute, hopeless place without good jobs, and filled with communities in decline. In his recent report on the region, Aaron M. Renn, a senior fellow at American Reformer, a Protestant nonprofit, complicates this picture. Appalachia, Renn shows, is no monolith (it consists of a diversity of areas with their challenges and identities); it has a rich cultural heritage, especially in music and the arts and natural beauty; and, while it faces its share of problems, it has tremendous opportunities for growth and several trends working in its favor. Today, Brent speaks with Renn about this much-maligned region, offering an insightful perspective on a region that has a crucial role to play in boosting social mobility for millions of Americans. Mentioned in this Episode The Future of Appalachia by Aaron Renn Joel Kotkin Joelkotkin.com Open and Closed Networks Appalachia on Our Mind by Henry Shapiro Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance Systemic Disadvantage Our Kids by Robert Putnam

In cities across America, homelessness, poverty, crime, addiction, and mental illness are perennial, and deeply intertwined, problems. The New York City-based Doe Fund, however, has made real progress on these challenges. Emphasizing work and personal responsibility, the fund has served struggling and at-risk individuals for nearly 40 years. In this episode, Brent sits down with the Doe Fund’s outgoing President and CEO, Harriet McDonald, and its incoming leader, Jennifer Mitchell. They discuss the Fund’s model and track record of success, offering valuable lessons for government, nonprofits, and individuals who aspire to support vulnerable populations. Mentioned in this Episode George McDonald Ready, Willing, and Able Sector-based training

From tech companies to healthcare providers and fast food services, organizations are deploying AI technologies to boost productivity and improve service. As these technologies filter into the economy and workplace, a host of questions are arising: will AI replace human labor? How will new technology affect the nature of work? How can we equip workers for the future and help them adapt to change? In their recent book Working with AI: Real Stories of Human-Machine Collaboration, management and technology experts Tom Davenport and Steven Miller explore these questions through real-world case studies. Pushing back against the growing anxiety over AI’s impact on work, Davenport and Miller contend that AI will not be a job destroyer, but a job-enhancer, a tool that will largely make work better–not only more productive but also more fulfilling and even more accessible–for most workers. In this episode, Davenport and Miller join Brent to discuss their book, offering a vision of the future of work in which AI and other “smart” technologies complement human labor–and make us richer and more productive in the process. Mentioned in this Episode AI life insurance underwriting Salesforce European AI Regulation Lump of labor fallacy DBS Bank's use of generative AI Eric Brynjolfsson

From Elizabeth Warren to former president Trump, actors on both the political left and right show increasing willingness to expand the role of government in the country’s economic affairs. Skepticism of free markets, long confined to the left, is now in vogue across the political spectrum, fueling a renewed interest in industrial policy and trade protectionism. Samuel Gregg, a distinguished fellow in political economy at the American Institute for Economic Research and an Affiliate Scholar at the Acton Institute, pushes back against these trends and what he calls “state capitalism.” In this episode, Gregg joins Brent to discuss his recent book The Next American Economy, which is a forceful defense of free markets and the moral and historical foundations of economic policy in the broader context of American values and history. Mentioned in this Episode Adam Smith’s moral and political philosophy The Theory of Moral Sentiments The Wealth of Nations Michael Novak Patrick Deneen Sohrab Ahmari

As AI permeates our world, many are forecasting transformational impacts on work and the economy. With AI, the future is highly uncertain, but it's imperative that we prepare workers to the best of our ability today. In this episode, we bring you a live event with Brent and Shane Tews, a nonresident senior fellow at AEI and head of AEI’s Tech Policy Center, on the intersection of AI, skills, and the workforce. Here, Brent and Shane speak to AEI’s 2023 Summer Honors students and offer advice on how future workers like them can thrive in an AI-driven world. Mentioned in the Episode UPenn/OpenAI 2023 study on exposure to AI Claude ChatGPT Bard Dr. Nouriel Roubini OECD Employment Outlook 2023: AI and the Labor Market Polanyi’s paradox Stanford University 2023 study on use of AI in call centers The Age of AI: And Our Human Future (2021 book) Precautionary principle McKinsey & Company 2023 study on generative AI

In this episode, we invite you to listen in on a recent AEI event on the book System Error: Where Big Tech Went Wrong and How We Can Reboot (Harper Academic, 2021). On June 22, 2023, AEI’s Brent Orrell and Shane Tews were joined by Rob Reich of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and Jeremy M. Weinstein of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies to discuss their book, which they co-authored along with their fellow Stanford professor Mehran Sahami. The panelists discuss the challenges that Big Tech in the 21st century—particularly artificial intelligence—poses to democracy. They explore the dangers of the "optimizing" mindset that competition in technology encourages; the trade-offs between the values of privacy, safety, agency, and productivity; the rise of misinformation and disinformation; and issues of power concentration and regulatory capture in the technology sector. Mentioned in the Episode System Error: Where Big Tech Went Wrong and How We Can Reboot Rob Reich Mehran Sahami Jeremy Weinstein Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI “Get Rich U.” in the New Yorker DoNotPay - Your AI Consumer Champion Facebook “Connect the World” Memo Sen. Schumer’s SAFE Innovation Framework AI Bill of Rights NIST AI Risk Management Framework The Precautionary Principle EU AI Act

In this episode, we invite you to listen in on a Workforce Futures Initiative (WFI) event from February 2023. WFI is a collaboration between the American Enterprise Institute, the Brookings Institution, and the Harvard Kennedy School Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy that analyzes the latest research on various aspects of the workforce development system to inform policy at the federal, state, and local levels. In this event, Brent Orrell is joined by leading workforce experts Harry Holzer, Greg Wright, and Rachel Lipson to discuss the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), sector-based training programs, community colleges and their connection to the workforce, and labor market data information. Mentioned in the Episode Workforce Futures Initiative Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Harry Holzer Greg Wright Rachel Lipson Year Up Per Scholas Project Quest CHIPS Act Trade Adjustment Assistance for Community College Program Good Jobs Challenge Social Innovation Fund Matt Sigelman, Burning Glass Institute Julia Lane, NYU Rich Hendra, MDRC ASAP program, CUNY Anne Kress, Northern Virginia Community College

For our 100th episode, we look back at some favorite moments in our podcast's history. You'll hear clips from conversations about the future of work with Jamie Merisotis; male worklessness with my colleague Nicholas Eberstadt; happiness and civic engagement with my colleague Ryan Streeter; thinking for yourself with author and Harvard lecturer Vikram Mansharamani; and identifying talent with renowned economist Tyler Cowen. Whether you're a new member of our community or you've been with us since the start, we know you'll love these clips. We hope this look-back inspires you to revisit episodes or dive into them for the first time. One hundred episodes in the books; here's to 100 more!

Joe Fuller, a Nonresident Senior Fellow at AEI and Professor at Harvard Business School, discusses two new reports, Delivering on Degrees and The Partnership Imperative. The first examines the effectiveness of programs that facilitate the transition from postsecondary education to employment and finds programs such as career coaching and experiential coursework can improve persistence in training and employment outcomes. The second report explores how partnerships between community colleges and employers can help address the skills gap. Mentioned in the Episode Joseph B. Fuller AEI Profile Joseph B. Fuller HBS Profile Managing the Future of Work Project at Harvard Business School Delivering on Degrees Report Workforce Futures Initiative Prof. Raj Chetty’s Work on Economic Mobility Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It by Richard V. Reeves The Partnership Imperative: Community Colleges, Employers, and America’s Chronic Skills Gap Wake Tech Community College San Jacinto College Monroe Community College Valencia College Partnership with Walt Disney World Resort Disney Aspire - Disney’s Education Benefit Program

The Republican Party has been the main political vehicle for American conservatism over the past 100 years. Periods of tension between the intellectual/elite faction and the grassroots faction have defined the party’s history. Matt Continetti, senior fellow at AEI, has spent his career studying the Republican Party and the American conservative movement in the 20th century, in particular the tug-of-war between the party’s factions and how this has shaped national politics. Mentioned in the Episode The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism Plato’s Republic The Politics of Rage: Why do They Hate Us? The Washington Free Beacon George Wallace 1968 Presidential Campaign Trump: “I love the poorly educated.” House Passes Debt Limit Bill CHIPS Subsidies Come with Lots of Strings Roe v. Wade What is Compassionate Conservatism?