In this episode of the New Colossus Project, Raafet Azzouz sits down with the Daron Acemoglu, the 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and MIT professor whose groundbreaking research has transformed our understanding of economies, institutions, and the forces that shape prosperity. Raafet and Daron dive deep into Daron’s fascinating journey from immigrant to world-renowned economist, exploring his insights into why some nations succeed while others fail. They discuss the cultural shock Daron experienced when moving to the U.S. in the early ’90s, and how his early academic years shaped his groundbreaking work. The conversation also touches on the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence - will it deepen the divide or help level the playing field? Daron shares his thoughts on how AI is reshaping labor markets and income distribution, and what policies we need to ensure society doesn’t leave anyone behind as technology advances. They explore the complex relationship between democracy and economic growth, especially in emerging democracies, and how inclusive institutions play a critical role in today’s shifting political landscape.

Timestamps: 

00:00 Intro 

04:25 A Journey to MIT and the Heart of Economics 

06:03 Tracing the Path to AI and Its Consequences 

07:40 Future of AI 

09:10 How Policymakers Can Promote Equity in a Changing Society 

10:58 Democracy and Development: Institutions as the Backbone of Emerging Economies 

14:29 Revitalizing Liberal Democracy: The Role of Inclusive Institutions in Today's Politics 

18:27 Armenian Heritage and Life Journey: Shaping Identity and Values 

21:57 Lessons from an Academic Journey 

23:51 How Being a First-Generation Immigrant Shaped Curiosity and Innovation 

25:32 Reflecting on the Journey and Lessons Learned Find the links to our socials in the comments. 

 McCormick #NewColossusProject #DaronAcemoglu #Economics #Institutions #AI #Democracy #InclusiveGrowth #Innovation #Leadership #MIT #NobelLaureate

In this episode of New Colossus Project, Raafet Azzouz sits down with Noubar Afeyan, founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, the company behind over 100 groundbreaking ventures in health and sustainability, including Moderna. As an immigrant who has created more than $60 billion in value, thousands of patents, and over 50 drugs in clinical development, Noubar shares his remarkable journey of innovation, entrepreneurship, and the transformative power of immigrant contributions.  

Discover how bold "what-if" questions can lead to revolutionary breakthroughs and how Noubar’s passion for science and progress is shaping the future.  

Subscribe for more inspiring stories from extraordinary individuals who are redefining the immigrant narrative.

Join the MIT New Colossus Project as we welcome Nobel laureate in Chemistry (2023) and MIT Professor Moungi Bawendi for an inspiring conversation.
Professor Bawendi, a Tunisian-French immigrant, shares his remarkable journey in Chemistry, including his groundbreaking research on quantum dots. You'll hear his unique perspective on embracing the outsider mindset to spark innovation and the importance of hybrid identities in today's world.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who dreams of pushing boundaries and making a difference!

Audio taken from the full video produced by Lucie McCormick. Video is viewable at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wsfW7kUUwk

Join our premier guest, Claude Grunitzky (CEO and Managing Partner at The Equity Alliance, Chairman of TRUE Africa) to discuss his extraordinary journey from Togo to the United States via London and Paris. Claude will talk with Raafet Azzouz, Founder of the MIT New Colossus Project, about his rise in the media and finance world for the last decades, his take on hybrid identities, and his work on bridging capital access for exceptional venture capital fund managers and startup founders who are people of color and women.

Audio taken from the full video produced by Lucie McCormick. Video is viewable at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjiUBxssU8s&t=9s

Join the MIT New Colossus Project for a conversation with Al Goldstein, CEO of StoicLane and previous founder of the unicorns Avant and Amount. Al shares his inspiring journey from arriving in the U.S. as a refugee to becoming a pioneer in fintech and a vocal advocate for immigration as a key driver of economic growth in America.

In a conversation with Raafet Azzouz, MIT New Colossus Project founder and MIT Sloan Fellow, Al reflects on how his experiences shaped his entrepreneurial vision, his commitment to supporting immigrants, and his belief in the transformative power of diversity for innovation. This episode highlights Al’s dedication to building businesses that empower communities and advance opportunity for all.

Watch the video of this conversation here: https://youtu.be/NlIUuALZUjk

#MIT #NewColossusProject #Fintech #Innovation #EconomicGrowth #ImmigrantSuccess #AlGoldstein

🔗 What connects entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystems, and gender equality in technology?

Join the MIT New Colossus Project for an insightful conversation with *Prof. Fiona Murray*, Associate Dean of Innovation and Inclusion at MIT Sloan and William Porter Professor of Entrepreneurship. Prof. Murray is an internationally recognized leader in shaping innovation policy, a Commander of the British Empire (CBE), and a trusted advisor to global governments on science and technology.

Hosted by *Raafet Azzouz*, founder of the MIT New Colossus Project and MIT Sloan Fellow, this episode delves into the pivotal role of women in tech, the challenges of fostering diverse innovation ecosystems, and how Prof. Murray’s groundbreaking work is driving policy change to support inclusive entrepreneurship.

This episode is perfect for those interested in:

- The intersection of entrepreneurship and policy

- Creating inclusive innovation ecosystems

- Leadership stories driving change in tech

Join the MIT New Colossus Project for a fascinating conversation with Wemimo Abbey, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Esusu, a unicorn fintech company focused on building financial inclusion for immigrants and marginalized groups.

In a conversation with Raafet Azzouz, MIT New Colossus Project founder and MIT Sloan Fellow, Wemimo shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Nigeria to co-founding one of the first Black-owned unicorn fintechs in the USA. This episode explores the power of embracing the outsider mindset to drive innovation, the significance of hybrid identities in today's world, and Wemimo's groundbreaking work in advancing financial inclusion.

What connects a $20bn+ global investment firm, Ukraine, and a book bought at a yard sale… Join the MIT New Colossus Project for an enlightening conversation with the pioneer investor Dmitry Balyasny, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of Balyasny Asset Management (BAM). This leading global investment firm boasts over $20bn+ in assets under management, employs 1900 people, and operates across offices around the world.

Dmitry Balyasny, Kyiv-born leader in the multi-strategy investment management world, is known for his remarkable journey from the ex-Soviet Union to Wall Street. In this conversation, Dmitry discusses his path to success in finance, and the transformative power of resilience and creativity. Hosted by Raafet Azzouz, founder of the MIT New Colossus Project and MIT Sloan Fellow, this episode dives deep into the intricacies of investment management, the importance of community and mentorship, and Dmitry's significant contributions to the financial sector.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in:
- Breaking into investment management and Wall Street
- The role of perseverance and humility in achieving success
- Inspiring stories of immigrant success in the financial world