In his closing remarks, Daron Acemoglu expressed heartfelt gratitude to the panelists, supporters, MIT leadership, foundations, and the center’s internal team for their vital contributions to the event and the center’s mission. He highlighted the importance of the community they are building, the ambitious intellectual discussions held, and warmly invited everyone to the reception, humorously noting it as the most important part.
In his closing remarks, Daron Acemoglu expressed deep gratitude to everyone involved in the event, highlighting the value of the community they are building. He acknowledged the insightful contributions of the panelists, emphasizing that their participation and ideas are the most important asset of the gathering. Acemoglu reflected on the day’s discussions, which covered a broad range of topics from inequality and the future of work to technology and political economy, underscoring the ambitious scope of their intellectual pursuits.
A significant portion of his thanks was dedicated to Jim and Kathy Stone, whose support has been transformative for the center. Acemoglu noted that their backing enables the center to pursue its ambitious goals and expressed appreciation for the ongoing relationship with the Stone family, including other members present at the event. He also acknowledged Sonia and other individuals from the Stone Center and Stone Foundation who have been instrumental in fostering this partnership.
Acemoglu extended his gratitude to the leadership and faculty at MIT, recognizing their crucial role in providing an intellectual environment conducive to the center’s work. He mentioned several key figures, including Ananta, Melissa Nobles, Sally Kornbluth, Rick Lock, and John Gruber, highlighting the support from both the Sloan School and the Economics Department. This institutional backing has been vital for the center’s growth and success.
He also thanked the various foundations and organizations that provided early financial support, such as the Smith Richardson Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, Schmidt Sciences, and the Nomis Foundation. Acemoglu acknowledged individuals like Mark Stanmer and Mike Bolinsky for their contributions, which helped get the center off the ground and supported important research efforts.
Finally, Acemoglu expressed appreciation for the center’s internal team, including director Katherine Moffad, policy and research manager Julia Rajir, postdoctoral associate Shape O’Brien, and the broader research team. He thanked the audience, both in-person and online, for their engagement and participation, emphasizing that outreach is a key part of the center’s mission. He concluded by inviting everyone to the reception next door, humorously noting that it was the most important part he almost forgot to mention.