Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo on Closing the Poverty Gap

The video discusses the unpredictability of economic growth and the role of technology in shaping economies. It highlights the challenges of ensuring that technological advancements benefit all, including the poor. The discussion also covers the importance of policy in managing technological change and the global efforts in vaccination, particularly in the context of COVID-19, emphasizing the need for coordinated global health initiatives.

What is a major challenge in predicting economic growth?

• The lack of historical data

• The unpredictability of economic factors

• The influence of political decisions

• The role of international trade

How can policymakers ensure that economic growth benefits the poor?

• By reducing government spending

• By increasing taxes on the wealthy

• By focusing solely on technological advancements

• By implementing policies that maximize growth benefits for all

What is a potential negative impact of new technology on employment?

• It can lead to job displacement without proper support

• It guarantees higher wages for all workers

• It always creates more jobs than it replaces

• It has no impact on employment levels

What is necessary to ensure technology benefits society?

• Strict regulation of all technological advancements

• Elimination of all manual jobs

• Training and support for workers to adapt to new technologies

• Complete automation of all industries

What was a major barrier to global COVID-19 vaccination efforts?

• Lack of public interest in vaccines

• Insufficient funding and global coordination

• Lack of existing vaccination networks

• Inability to develop a vaccine