The most innovative regions in the world are also the most wealthy. But it comes with a price - technology and innovation often increases inequality. In this talk, Neil Lee will explore how technology and innovation contribute to growing inequality in some of the world's most advanced economies. Drawing on research and case studies from his recent book Innovation for the Masses, he will discuss how cities like San Francisco and nations across the globe have become innovation hubs, yet often fail to distribute the benefits of this progress equitably.
Lee offers a solutions-oriented approach, examining successful models from Taiwan, Sweden, Austria, and Switzerland, where innovation is more broadly shared. He will highlight the crucial role of state policies in balancing technological advancement with social equity, providing valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of equitable innovation.
Neil Lee is Professor of Economic Geography at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and author of Innovation for the Masses: How to Share the Benefits of the High-Tech Economy (University of California Press 2024).
Commentators:
Marte Cecilie Wilhelmsen Solheim, Vice-Rector for Innovation and Society at the University of Stavanger.
Ron Boschma, professor in Regional Economics at Utrecht University.