Asia Global Institute

Adam Smith at 250

Monday, August 18, 2025

Adam Smith at 250

Michael Spence, Chairman of the AGI Advisory Board, offers a compelling analysis of Adam Smith’s enduring insights on economic specialization in his Project Syndicate piece.

Revisiting Smith's theories in light of today's complex challenges, Spence argues that while globalization's specialization is facing headwinds due to rising geopolitical and economic risks, the emergence of AI represents a more fundamental shift. AI's potential to democratize expertise could dramatically alter the value of specialized knowledge, impacting the future of work and the global economy.

Read the full article here.

Author

Michael Spence

Advisory Board Chairman, Asia Global Institute

Michael Spence

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