Generative AI is transforming our world, but how is it truly reshaping the American workplace? One Maxwell School professor just received a prestigious NSF grant to dive deep into its effects on productivity, job satisfaction, and skill development. What changes do you foresee in your own career?
Baobao Zhang, an esteemed associate professor at the Maxwell School, has been honored with the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, a significant recognition that underscores her pivotal work in understanding the profound implications of generative AI in the modern workplace. This substantial grant, totaling $567,491, will fuel her groundbreaking project, “Future of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Current and Future Workers,” embarking on a comprehensive study of how this rapidly evolving technology is reshaping the professional landscape.
The NSF CAREER Award stands as one of the foundation’s most distinguished accolades for early-career faculty, specifically recognizing individuals who masterfully integrate exceptional research with impactful educational initiatives. This award not only validates Professor Zhang’s innovative approach but also highlights the critical need to explore the societal and economic shifts brought about by technological advancements like workplace transformation driven by artificial intelligence.
Professor Zhang’s ambitious study will delve into the multifaceted ways generative AI is profoundly transforming American workplaces. Her AI research will meticulously examine its effects across several key areas, including its influence on worker productivity, the intricate dynamics of job satisfaction, and the essential evolution of skill development required for future employment. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for both current employees and future generations entering the workforce.
Joining the Maxwell faculty in 2021, Professor Zhang brings a wealth of expertise to her field. Her academic pursuits have consistently centered on critical issues such as trust in digital technology and the crucial AI governance frameworks necessary to manage its proliferation. As a senior research associate with the Campbell Public Affairs Institute, her work involves rigorously studying public and elite opinions toward AI and analyzing how traditional institutions adapt to rapid technological change.
Prior to this latest achievement, Professor Zhang had already garnered significant recognition for her substantial contributions to the discourse around AI governance. Her accolades include the Public Voices Fellowship on Technology in the Public Interest (2023-24) and the highly competitive Schmidt Futures AI2050 Early Career Fellowship (2022). These awards underscore her consistent impact and thought leadership in the complex arena of artificial intelligence.
Her rigorous scholarship is widely published in leading academic journals, including the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Nature Human Behavior. Furthermore, her influence extends to co-editing the seminal volume, The Oxford Handbook of AI Governance, solidifying her position as a leading voice in the field. This extensive body of work provides a strong foundation for her continued AI research under the NSF CAREER Award.
Dean David M. Van Slyke emphasized the significance of Professor Zhang’s work, stating, “Professor Zhang’s work on the governance of artificial intelligence exemplifies the Maxwell School’s strength in addressing timely, real‑world issues.” He further elaborated that “This NSF CAREER Award not only acknowledges her exceptional early‑career scholarship but also furthers our mission to equip future policymakers with tools to navigate an economy that is increasingly shaped by AI,” highlighting the institution’s commitment to cutting-edge research and public service.
This vital research initiative into workplace transformation is poised to offer invaluable insights for academics, policymakers, and industry leaders alike. As generative AI continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, Professor Zhang’s study will provide a critical framework for understanding how societies can harness its benefits while mitigating potential challenges, ultimately shaping the future of work for countless individuals.
