For the first time since the 1970s, we're witnessing a breakthrough that could reignite economic growth and human progress. In this inaugural episode of Working Intelligence: The AI Optimism Project, economist Tyler Cowen explains why AI represents what he calls a 'major civilizational advance' — one that will finally end the Great Stagnation that has constrained productivity for half a century.

Join Sophie Singletary and Tyler Cowen as they explore how AI is already democratizing access to medical and legal expertise, why America's deep capital markets and entrepreneurial culture position it to lead—and win—the AI revolution, and what the energy demands of AI mean for American independence. Cowen argues that far from destroying jobs, AI will unleash a wave of new ventures and creative work by eliminating routine tasks and making it radically easier to start a company.

This is a conversation about why the next chapter of human progress is being written right now, and why there's never been a more exciting time to be alive.