Andrew McAfee

Andrew Paul McAfee, born around 1967, is an American researcher and educator who specialises in the impact of digital technologies on businesses, economies, and societies. He is a principal research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and co-founder of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy at the Sloan School of Management.

McAfee also serves as the Inaugural Visiting Fellow in Technology and Society at Google, a part-time role aimed at fostering understanding and collaboration on the societal implications of technological advancements.

McAfee’s work focuses on how organisations and societies adapt to technological change. His first book, Enterprise 2.0: New Collaborative Tools for Your Organisation's Toughest Challenges (2009), examined the use of web-based tools for improved collaboration. His subsequent co-authored works with Erik Brynjolfsson, including Race Against the Machine (2012) and The Second Machine Age (2016), explored the disruptive effects of technology on employment and the economy. These were followed by Machine, Platform, Crowd (2018), which highlighted the shifting balance between human decision-making and machine intelligence. His recent works, More from Less (2019) and The Geek Way (2023), focus on sustainability and innovation in organisations.

McAfee frequently shares his insights on global platforms like TED and The Charlie Rose Show. His research bridges sociology, economics, and computer science, offering accessible insights into the challenges and opportunities of the digital revolution.

Born in the Midwest, McAfee developed an early interest in computers. After his parents’ divorce when he was 11, he immersed himself in academics, excelling in maths and English. He earned two bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees, and a doctorate from MIT and Harvard Business School. This strong educational background has shaped his expertise, making him a key voice in understanding technological transformations.

Andrew Paul McAfee, born around 1967, is an American researcher, author, and educator recognised for his work on the impact of digital technologies on business, society, and the economy. 

He grew up in a small town in the Midwest, where his parents divorced when he was 11 years old. Describing himself as socially awkward, he focused on academics, particularly maths and English, and developed a keen interest in computers. McAfee pursued higher education at prestigious institutions, earning two bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees, and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard Business School.

McAfee is a principal research scientist at MIT and co-founder of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy at the Sloan School of Management. His career has focused on understanding how digital tools and systems transform businesses and economies. In 2009, he authored Enterprise 2.0: New Collaborative Tools for Your Organisation's Toughest Challenges, which examined how organisations utilise web-based tools for collaboration.

In 2012, he co-authored Race Against the Machine with Erik Brynjolfsson, exploring the disruptive effects of technology on employment and productivity. Their subsequent books, including The Second Machine Age (2016) and Machine, Platform, Crowd (2018), examined the relationship between human and machine intelligence and its economic implications. 

McAfee’s 2019 book, More from Less, highlighted sustainable growth and the efficient use of resources enabled by technology. His latest publication, The Geek Way (2023), focuses on innovative organisational practices.

McAfee is also a sought-after speaker and has appeared on platforms like TED and The Charlie Rose Show.

In July 2023, he became the Inaugural Visiting Fellow in Technology and Society at Google, working part-time to address societal implications of emerging technologies. He continues his research at MIT while contributing to global discussions on the opportunities and challenges of the digital revolution.

Andrew McAfee’s vision is to help society understand and adapt to the rapid changes brought by digital technologies. He believes in harnessing the power of innovation to improve productivity, create sustainable growth, and address pressing global challenges. McAfee emphasises the need for organisations and governments to embrace data-driven decision-making and integrate advanced tools like artificial intelligence and automation. Through his research, books, and public speaking, he aims to foster a deeper understanding of how technology can drive progress while mitigating its potential negative impacts, ensuring that technological advancements benefit all sections of society in a fair and equitable manner.

Andrew McAfee has received significant recognition for his work on digital technology's impact on society. In 2015, he and Erik Brynjolfsson were awarded the Thinkers50 Digital Thinking Award for their insights into the digital revolution. His co-authored book The Second Machine Age was widely praised and shortlisted for the Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award. McAfee’s thought leadership has earned him invitations to speak at renowned platforms such as TED and The Charlie Rose Show. His research on digital transformation has influenced policymakers, academics, and business leaders globally. McAfee’s role as the Inaugural Visiting Fellow in Technology and Society at Google further highlights his expertise in examining the societal effects of emerging technologies.