Columbia Business School In the News

Can AI really predict your future? Columbia Business School Associate Professor of Business Sandra Matz is featured in a Science article that explores how a new algorithm trained on millions of life stories in Denmark predicts key life outcomes like health, income, and even the risk of early death. The model, called "life2vec," analyzes life events much like it processes text—by finding patterns that offer surprisingly accurate predictions. However, while the model’s results are impressive, Matz raises important questions about its broader application—especially outside of Denmark.Matz points out that while some predictions, like linking certain jobs to personality traits, seem straightforward, applying this technology to diverse populations could be more challenging. She suggests that while AI has the potential to identify risks and guide decisions, it also brings concerns about data privacy and ethical use. This study offers a glimpse into a future where AI not only analyzes data but also predicts personal life paths.Read the full article to learn more about how AI is pushing the boundaries of what we can know—and what it means for the future.

Generative AI can enhance shopping experiences, providing more personalized product recommendations. Select retailers such as Mercari are using this technology to build AI-powered shopping assistants, hoping to streamline consumer decision-making. However, with some AI assistants delivering inaccurate or less-than-ideal results, there seems to be a lot left to be desired for customers. In an article for The New York Times, shoppers described engaging with these types of AI, expressing frustration over their experiences. Olivier Toubia, Glaubinger Professor of Business, summed up what many of these experiences lack: simplicity. In terms of AI technology, Toubia believes that consumers “don’t necessarily want to have five different generative A.I. tools that they would use for different purposes.” Many of the anecdotes from the article reflected this opinion, as consumers wished that AI shopping assistants could provide better results.Learn more about what consumers want from generative AI and what companies are striving to achieve by adopting the technology.