Daniel Rock

Daniel Rock is a leading economist and digital strategist, known for his clear insight into how artificial intelligence is transforming economies, industries and the workforce. As Assistant Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, he blends academic research with practical strategy, guiding leaders through one of the greatest technological shifts of our time. His most significant achievement lies in shaping the global conversation on the economics of AI, offering frameworks that influence both policy and corporate decision-making.

Daniel’s path began with a deep grounding in both business and technical disciplines. After graduating summa cum laude from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, he earned a Master’s and Ph.D. in Management from MIT Sloan School of Management, where his research focused on the economics of AI and intangible capital. Between his undergraduate and graduate studies, he worked as an Algorithmic Trader at DRW Trading, developing skills in quantitative analysis and market structure. These formative years gave him a unique foundation, combining finance, economics and data science, which underpins his current expertise.

Over his career, Daniel has built an impressive record of achievements. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Workhelix, Inc., a workforce AI company developed with Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee. He has been recognised as a Fellow at the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, a Digital Fellow at the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, and an AI2050 Early Career Fellow by Schmidt Sciences. His research, including the influential “Productivity J-Curve,” has been published in leading journals and widely featured by outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review. Daniel has also earned honours including the Google Academic Cloud Grant, the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab Grant, and best paper awards at international conferences.

Audiences value Daniel for his ability to make sense of AI’s complexity and explain what it means for business and society. He speaks on the economics of AI, productivity growth, and the future of work, offering organisations practical strategies to adapt and compete. His sessions reveal where AI creates value, how firms can invest wisely, and what skills will matter most in an AI-enabled economy. At a time when leaders are searching for credible guidance on technological disruption, Daniel brings authority, clarity and vision, helping organisations unlock the opportunities of artificial intelligence and shape a more resilient future.