Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Duflo on Global Poverty, AI, and MIT to Zurich Shift
Esther Duflo, a famous economist who won a Nobel Prize, talked about her book 'Poor Economics' at the Jaipur Literature Festival.
She said that while some things in the book were right, some were wrong, and she added new chapters about helping people and climate change.
She mentioned that poor people, especially women, are badly affected by climate change.
Duflo is moving from her job at MIT in the US to Zurich in Switzerland.
She thinks this move will help make the world more balanced in fighting poverty and climate change.
She also warned that computers might take over jobs in India.
She advised being careful about recent reports that say poverty in India has decreased a lot.
Esther Duflo discussed the 15-year update to 'Poor Economics', adding chapters on social protection and climate change.
She highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on poor women, especially in places like the Sundarbans.
Duflo is relocating from MIT to Zurich in July 2026 to establish a new centre for development economics, education, and public policy.
She believes the move will help shift the centre of gravity in development economics due to the US disengagement from international development and climate issues.
Duflo expressed concerns about AI potentially replacing IT and back-office jobs in India, which are key growth engines for the middle class.
- Who
- Esther Duflo, Nobel Prize-winning economist
- What
- Discussion on global poverty, climate change, and her move from MIT to Zurich
- When
- During the Jaipur Literature Festival; relocation in July 2026
- Where
- Jaipur Literature Festival, India; future move to Zurich
- Why
- To shift the centre of gravity in development economics and address global inequality
- Esther Duflo
- Nobel Prize-winning economist
- Book Update
- 15-year update to 'Poor Economics'
- New Chapters
- Social protection and climate change
- Relocation
- Moving from MIT to Zurich in 2026
- New Centre
- Centre for development economics, education, and public policy
- Funding
- Lemann Foundation
- AI Concern
- Potential impact on India's IT and back-office jobs
- Poverty Data
- Urges caution on recent World Bank estimates