University of Richmond to host AI and the future of work discussion on February 5th

The University of Richmond will host a public conversation on artificial intelligence and labor markets on February 5th as part of its Sharp Viewpoint Speaker Series. Titled “AI and the Future of Work,” the event is free and open to the public, with general-admission seating and no tickets required.

The discussion will feature David Autor, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology known for his research on job polarization and inequality, and Anton Korinek of the University of Virginia, whose work focuses on the long-term economic and policy implications of advanced AI. Korinek was recently named to TIME’s 2025 TIME100 AI list, which highlights figures shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

The conversation will be moderated by University of Richmond President Kevin F. Hallock, a labor market economist and Distinguished University Professor of Economics. According to the university, the panel will address how AI may influence innovation and economic growth, as well as its potential effects on workers, wages, and broader social outcomes.

While the event is framed as an opportunity to explore both optimism and anxiety about AI, the university has not released details on the specific policy questions or workforce sectors to be addressed. That leaves open how directly the discussion will engage with near-term local or regional labor impacts, an issue of growing interest as employers across industries experiment with automation and AI-driven tools.

Registration is encouraged but not required. Additional information about the Sharp Viewpoint Speaker Series is available on the university’s website here.