Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are reshaping the narrative about job automation and displacement, highlighting the need for a workforce that is adaptable, skilled, and prepared for the evolving demands of the job market. At the same time AI has the potential to assist workers in the acquisition of new skills and revolutionize education by providing interactive tools for personalized learning experiences.

The Research Institute for the Evaluation of Public Policies (FBK-IRVAPP) seeks to address the societal impact of these new technologies and their policy implications for work and education. This research project will explore the role of artificial intelligence for human capital from two perspectives:

1) a workforce dynamics perspective, assessing how AI and automation are changing the demand for workers’ skills and understanding how artificial intelligence can complement human skills

2) an educational perspective, examining how AI can assist humans in acquiring new skills and evaluating the effectiveness of AI-powered educational tools in providing personalized learning experiences.

The PhD candidate will conduct empirical research, focusing on counterfactual analysis of the causal effects of policy interventions in these areas.

Required/Preferred Candidate Skills and Competences:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or similar.

• Knowledge of public policy evaluation methods.

• Demonstrated interest in the societal impact of artificial intelligence.

• Proficiency in R or Stata and Microsoft Excel.

• Oral and written proficiency in Italian and English.

• Strong communication and writing skills.

• Willingness to work effectively in a team, as well as independently.