AI or Wealth Gap: Nobel Economics Prize Concludes 2025 Season

The announcement of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics is set to take place at 11:45 AM local time (09:45 GMT) at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. This year’s prize will follow a trio of American researchers recognized for their work on wealth disparities between countries in 2024.

Potential Candidates for the Nobel Prize in Economics 2025

Identifying the next laureate in economics is often speculative. However, experts are already predicting potential winners based on past awarding trends. Micael Dahlén, a professor at the Stockholm School of Economics, suggests that the ever-relevant field of information economics deserves attention.

Likely Candidates

• Erik Brynjolfsson (USA) – Noted for his work in information economics.
• Monika Schnitzer (Germany) – Recognized for contributions to international economics.
• Susan Athey (USA) – Explores the impact of new technologies on markets and public policies.

Currently, only three women have ever received this prestigious award since its inception, highlighting ongoing gender disparities in the field. Magnus Henrekson from the Research Institute of Industrial Economics remarked on the importance of perceptions in decision-making.

Significance of the Economics Prize

The Nobel Prize in Economics, created by the Swedish central bank in 1969, commemorates Alfred Nobel’s legacy. While it is often criticized as a “fake Nobel,” many believe economics significantly shapes global events and societal improvements.

Focus on Wealth Inequality

The 2025 award may highlight economists addressing wealth inequality. Key names include:

• Emmanuel Saez (France/USA) – Known for comparative international studies on taxation.
• Thomas Piketty (France) – Renowned for his research on income distribution.
• Gabriel Zucman (France) – Recently awarded the John Bates Clark Medal, often seen as a precursor to the Nobel.

Other distinguished candidates include Marianne Bertrand (Belgium), a specialist in discrimination, and Ernst Fehr (Switzerland), who excels in behavioral economics. They could be joined by George Loewenstein, Colin Camerer, Nobuhiro Kiyotaki, John H. Moore, and Robert Barro, each recognized for their influential economic research.

Prize Amount and Recognition

The Nobel Prize winners will receive 11 million Swedish Krona (approximately one million euros), which will be shared among multiple laureates if applicable. The anticipation surrounding the outcomes of such awards continues to underscore the evolving nature of economics and its impact on society.