Artificial Intelligence and the Economy: A Review of the Bank of Russia, NES, and HSE University Workshop

Abstract

On 30 June 2026, St Petersburg hosted the 18th economic research workshop organised by the Bank of Russia, the New Economic School, and the National Research University Higher School of Economics. The workshop focused on generative artificial intelligence, which has been rapidly developing in recent years. The participants presented research papers related to the use of large language models to simulate human behaviour and make macroeconomic forecasts. Experts in economics and computer science participated in a roundtable discussion of the impact of artificial intelligence and robotisation on the economy and society. The discussants highlighted that the scale of these effects would depend on the further advancement of the technology and the conditions of its deployment. Additionally, the workshop heard presentations from the winner and runners-up of the Economic Research Competition for Students and PhD Fellows.