AI and Productivity: The Key Lesson from the Textile Industry

The rapid advances in artificial intelligence should lead to significant productivity gains. Yet, this is not always the case. Why? Technology alone is not enough. There is no direct, linear relationship between technological use and performance gains. In some cases, technology can hinder productivity. It all depends on how technology is integrated and used. To better understand the challenges of AI, it is helpful to look back at the introduction of mechanical looms in the 19th century.

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Europe’s competitiveness: the missed opportunity of the Draghi report

Electroshock. Emergency call. Existential threat. The report on Europe’s competitiveness that Mario Draghi, former head of the European Central Bank, presented to the President of the European Commission on September 9 has caused quite a stir, to say the least. The report marks a salutary awakening to Europe’s decline, the symptoms of which it clearly identifies. But the proposed remedies remain conventional – a plan, a loan and an industrial policy. It’s a missed opportunity, or almost.

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