Against the backdrop of the war in the Middle East, how are the energy crisis and the rise of AI redefining the dynamics of growth, inflation and productivity? What tools do advanced and emerging economies have at their disposal to strengthen their resilience whilst capitalising on the new opportunities that are emerging? How can Europe adapt and capitalise on the changes currently underway?These were the questions addressed at the latest BNP Paribas Economic Studies conference: “The global economy in the face of shocks: between upheaval and resilience”.Alongside Isabelle Mateos y Lago, Chief Economist of the BNP Paribas Group, two panels of economists discussed the consequences of the energy crisis and the massive expansion of artificial intelligence
Following the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East confirms that the global economy has entered an era of repeated supply shocks. Faced with the risk of shortages and the resurgence of inflationary pressures, the resilience of advanced and emerging economies is being tested. Central banks are more vigilant. However, the crisis could also lead to certain structural transformations that the global economy – and Europe in particular – needs.
Artificial intelligence is poised to reshape societies. The countries that produce the components essential to AI and those that are investing heavily in the field – led by the United States and China – will be the big winners. This surge of investment fuels strong momentum in start-up creation and drives a profound transformation of the labour market, ushering in a new cycle of productivity growth. The impact of AI on inflation is mixed: in the short term, it creates pressure on prices due to its needs in tech components and energy; in the medium term, AI should, like any major innovation, become disinflationary.
