Upwork Establishes Economic Advisory Council to Deepen Understanding of AI’s Impact on Work

Upwork (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world’s work marketplace, today announced the formation of its Economic Advisory Council, a strategic initiative aimed at deepening the understanding of artificial intelligence’s profound impact on the global workforce. This council brings together top academics from esteemed institutions such as MIT, Stanford University, and Georgetown University, signalling a significant move by Upwork to responsibly guide the evolution of its AI-powered platform and the broader labor market.

The rapid integration of AI across industries has sparked both excitement and apprehension regarding its implications for jobs, skills, and productivity. Recognizing its unique position at the nexus of businesses and independent talent, Upwork is leveraging its vast marketplace data – which saw $4 billion in gross services volume in 2024 alone – to gain unparalleled insights into emerging work trends.

The newly established council will provide strategic guidance on several critical areas. Its mandate includes developing frameworks to measure productivity and economic value in AI-enabled work, ensuring the ethical integration of AI principles into Upwork’s marketplace evolution, identifying early indicators of labor market shifts driven by AI adoption, and offering strategic insights into emerging skills and talent supply trends. Members will also collaborate on vital research and thought leadership to address the evolving landscape of work.

Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of the Upwork Research Institute, emphasized the timeliness of this initiative. “Academic research in artificial intelligence has exploded, quadrupling since 2015, yet work at the intersection of AI and labor markets remains limited,” she stated. “Our Economic Advisory Council aims to close that gap, translating advanced research into practical applications that protect human agency, ensure marketplace trust, and expand opportunity in an AI-enabled future.”

The council’s formation underscores Upwork’s commitment to fostering a human-centric approach to AI adoption. With prominent economists and researchers like Dr. Nicholas Bloom of Stanford University and Dr. John Horton and Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan of MIT among its ranks, the advisory body will contribute invaluable expertise to help Upwork navigate the complexities of AI, ultimately shaping a future where technology amplifies human potential in the world of work.