Prof. Dr. Wim Naudé

Wim Naudé is  Full Professor in Economics at Cork University Business School, Ireland, Visiting Professor at RWTH Aachen University, Germany, and a Fellow of the African Studies Centre at the University of Leiden, The Netherlands.  

His research on the business and economics of artificial intelligence (AI) focuses on three interrelated aspects: i) the economic and business  value of AI; ii) the diffusion of AI, and how limited benefits and high barriers slows down the diffusion of human-centered AI; and (iii) the use of novel innovation policy tools, such as public procurement of innovation, to incentivize ethical and responsible AI, and avoid AI arms races.

This research has been published in scientific journals, popular outlets such as The Conversation, and has been covered in the media by amongst others the Dutch Financial TimesPhys.org, Mars Magazin, Fortify Magazine, Worth Magazine, The Print, The Next Web, World Economic Forum, Mind Matters, Science Alert and others. He taught a Master Class in the Governance of AI at the Jheronimus Academy of Data Sciences in The Netherlands, and regularly present guest lectures and keynote speeches on the role of AI and other digital technologies on business and economic performance. 

Wim is  recognised by the OECD as an AI expert, is a contributor to the OECD’s  AI observatory, and most recently has been co-director of the Research Unit for the Diffusion of Quality AI, a project funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, under its program Artificial Intelligence and the Society of the Future. 

Recent publications on AI include:

  • Artificial Intelligence: Neither Utopian nor Apocalyptic Impacts Soon, Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 2021, 30 (1).
  • Artificial Intelligence vs COVID-19: Limitations, Constraints and Pitfalls, AI & Society, 2020, 35 (3): 761-765.
  • The Race for an Artificial General Intelligence: Implications for Public Policy, AI & Society, 2020, 35 (2): 367–379.