Publications: Robert D. Atkinson
March 30, 2026
Mobilizing for Techno-Economic War, Part 2: Slowing China’s Advance
Boosting U.S. competitiveness in national power industries is necessary, but not sufficient to avoid losing to China. America also must take measures to slow the PRC’s progress toward global dominance. This report provides more than 100 actionable recommendations for the administration and Congress. Western allies should take many of the same steps.
March 19, 2026
Polling as Propaganda: How Blue Rose Research’s AI Survey Misleads
A poll built on leading questions, false choices, and fearmongering does not reflect actual public opinion on AI. It shows how to optimize disinformation for partisan messaging.
March 15, 2026
Will Artificial Intelligence Turn Out to Be a Dream Killer?
Despite what the apostles of artificial general intelligence warn, there is no reason to think AGI will get here anytime soon, if ever.
March 14, 2026
Korea’s Real Jobs Problem Isn’t AI
Seventy percent of young Koreans hold university degrees. Only 14 percent of jobs are in large firms. The most immediate concern is not jobs disappearing due to AI, but that there are too few high-quality jobs in the first place.
March 12, 2026
UBI: Unbelievably Bad Idea
Rather than proposing universal basic income as the solution to robots supposedly taking all our jobs, the task should be to improve federal worker adjustment assistance programs.
March 6, 2026
WEF Thinks the Sky Is Falling and That We Need a New Growth Model
WEF should articulate a global productivity agenda to make a meaningful contribution, because the kind of capitalism we have today is not the reason for slow growth in many developing economies.
February 20, 2026
We Don’t Want Our Companies to Be Jobs Programs
We should want companies to shed workers they no longer need. Productivity gains flow to lower prices, higher wages, and long-term growth. Don’t slow innovation—accelerate it.
February 18, 2026
Are We in the Middle of an AI Boom or Bubble?
A quarter century after the dot-com revolution, artificial intelligence is prompting similar waves of exuberance and alarm. History suggests AI may face short-term hiccups, but is more likely headed toward robust, sustained growth.
February 13, 2026
American Culture and the Decline of the Digital Spirit: Part II
The culture of digital and AI opposition is a growing threat to American prosperity and power. Unless we return at least to neutrality, other nations unburdened by this self-doubt will surpass us.
February 8, 2026
Why Korea Must Learn the New Trump Trade Playbook
The Trump administration’s tariff pressure reflects a transactional shift in U.S. trade policy, linking reciprocity to investment execution, regulatory predictability, and geopolitical alignment. Korea can adapt to this new playbook or absorb the economic consequences.
