Shaping the Future of Growth: Business Dynamism, AI, and Policy at the UChicago Center in Delhi
The The University of Chicago Center in Delhi hosted a symposium on “Shaping the Future of Growth: Business Dynamism, AI, and Policy” on May 28, 2026, bringing together economists, policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and professionals for an afternoon of discussions on innovation, economic growth, and the evolving role of technology in development. The event featured keynote sessions, audience interactions, and a panel discussion on “Decoding AI for Development,” creating a platform for meaningful conversations around the future of growth and policy in India and beyond.
The symposium commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Leni Chaudhuri, who welcomed guests to the The University of Chicago Center in Delhi and emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue between academia, policy, and industry in shaping future growth and innovation. She highlighted the need for collaborative platforms that encourage conversations around business dynamism, emerging technologies, and economic development in an increasingly interconnected world.
The afternoon continued with a the first lecture of the day by Somik V. Lall from the World Bank titled “Disciplining Incumbents: Restoring Competition and Market Dynamism.” His discussion focused on the role of competitive markets, institutional reforms, and policy frameworks in encouraging innovation and long-term productivity. The session generated engaging audience discussions on how economies can create environments that support entrepreneurship while maintaining balanced regulation.
Following this, Ufuk Akcigit from the University of Chicago presented “Rewarding Merit: Shifting from Size to Performance,” where he explored how economic systems and policy structures can better encourage productivity, innovation, and performance-driven growth. His session highlighted the importance of rewarding ideas, efficiency, and long-term value creation in evolving economic ecosystems.
Another featured session was delivered by James Evans from the University of Chicago on “Incentivizing the Improbable: From Imitation to Invention.” He discussed how breakthrough innovation often emerges from experimentation and unconventional thinking, while also reflecting on the importance of creating systems that support original research and discovery.
A major highlight of the symposium was the panel discussion on “Decoding AI for Development,” moderated by Jeanette Rodrigues (Bloomberg News). The panel brought together distinguished speakers including Deepak Bagla (Atal Innovation Mission, Niti Aayog), James Evans, Manish Gupta (Google DeepMind), Somik V. Lall, and Ufuk Akcigit. The discussion explored the broader implications of artificial intelligence on development, policy, business ecosystems, and the future of innovation, especially in India, while also addressing the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging technologies.
The event concluded with networking and collaborative conversations among attendees, speakers, and professionals from diverse sectors. Participants exchanged perspectives on innovation, policy transformation, and the future of technology-led growth, reflecting the growing importance of interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration in shaping future-ready economies.
