More than 200 economists and AI researchers worldwide have signed an open letter urging policymakers and technology leaders to act immediately to prepare for the sweeping economic disruptions expected from artificial intelligence (AI).

Released on Monday, July 13th, 2026, and organized by Stanford University’s digital economy lab, the brief letter includes signatures from 16 Nobel laureates. It warns that AI could evolve significantly over the next decade, driving a transformation "larger than the Industrial Revolution, but unfolding over a vastly shorter time frame."

The letter highlights both risks and opportunities, noting potential large-scale job displacement alongside major gains in living standards. To mitigate negative impacts, it calls for governments and industries to develop "incentives, guardrails, and institutions" that ensure AI complements humans and benefits society.

Anton Korinek, a University of Virginia professor who organized the initiative, emphasized that the window for effective action is narrowing.

In a related development, Amazon announced in October 2025 that it would cut approximately 14,000 jobs, months after its CEO revealed that generative AI and agents would take over some roles.

Additional concerns include the energy demands of AI data centers amid a US heatwave and ongoing legal disputes such as Apple’s lawsuit accusing OpenAI of stealing trade secrets.

Sources