Tyler Cowen Is Bullish on AI Education — Here's Why

Tyler Cowen on the new life of the mind -- and the rise of managerial empires.

Cowen is an economist, bestselling author, podcast host, and Free Press columnist. He is the Holbert L. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University, the chairman and faculty director of the Mercatus Center, and the founder of Emergent Ventures.

This lecture occurred on January 8, 2026 at the University of Austin.

00:00 -- Preview
00:24 -- President Carlos Carvalho's AI-generated intro
03:21 -- Cowen reacts to UATX's campus
04:38 -- The AI revolution is here. Who will lose the most?
06:05 -- AI lawyers
07:17 -- Don't underestimate this
10:41 -- Changes to the "upper upper middle class"
12:38 -- How to be successful
13:43 -- The rise of managerial empires
14:02 -- When will we have the first billion dollar company with one employee?
16:05 -- 10-20 year forecast
16:19 -- Why education is so behind
17:01 -- Should you be bullish on UATX?
18:36 -- Should you still read Homer?
21:50 -- Write to think
25:01 -- Meet more people
25:42 -- How to get hired
26:54 -- Is AI your best mentor?
38:17 -- How to curb cheating
39:02 -- The new life of the mind
42:34 -- Q&A: Will there be more status associated with real education or AI education?
45:50 -- Q&A: Why do tech-savvy students need to practice using AI?
47:56 -- Q&A: Do LLMs atrophy your mind?
49:29 -- Q&A: How do you avoid AI-dependency?
51:05 -- Q&A: Isn't this vision lonely and isolating?
53:06 -- Q&A: Do students need teachers?
55:36 -- Q&A: What are the four most important courses for undergrads?
57:49 -- Q&A: Which AI company will win the AI race in the next five years and why?
59:22 -- Q&A: Can AI teach religion?
01:01:32 -- Q&A: Will AI narrow or widen our world?
01:04:37 -- Q&A: What makes us human?
01:05:42 -- Q&A: What is art?
01:08:33 -- Q&A: It's easy to catch cheaters

Links:
University of Austin (UATX): https://www.uaustin.org
UATX on X: https://x.com/uaustinorg
Apply in less than 5 minutes: https://application.uaustin.org
Tyler Cowen on his first UATX visit: https://marginalrevolution.com..../marginalrevolution/
Tyler Cowen on X: https://x.com/tylercowen
Marginal Revolution: https://marginalrevolution.com