How Private Data can Augment Official StatisticsWhile official statistics compiled by government agencies are still considered the most reliable, policymakers are increasingly using private data to get around their limitations. Former Federal Reserve economist Claudia Sahm says the immediacy and granularity of private company data should serve as a complement to traditional data, not as a substitute.CLAUDIA SAHMCommodities | Analytical SeriesGold’s Lasting LusterWhy gold retains enduring value in an era of digital assetsPratik Ghansham SalviDante Disparte on Stablecoins and the Future of FinanceWhile the volatility of digital currencies like Bitcoin has kept it out of traditional banking systems, stablecoin is gaining ground in the race for a suitable digital counterpart to fiat currency. Dante Disparte heads strategy and global policy at Circle, which issues two of the world's most widely traded stablecoins. In this podcast, he says stablecoin money can help overcome some of the inefficiencies of the traditional banking system.DANTE DISPARTEPablo Peña on why AI is No Match for Human CapitalWhile artificial intelligence continues to outperform our human abilities in many areas, Pablo Pena believes critical thinking and curiosity are what will keep us in the driver's seat. Pena is an associate professor of economics at the University of Chicago and author of Human Capital for Humans: An Accessible Introduction to the Economic Science of People. In this Podcast, Pena and journalist Rhoda Metcalfe discuss his article in the December issue of Finance & Development magazine.PABLO PENAHolding Steady: Sub-Saharan Africa’s OutlookSub-Saharan Africa is holding its own despite a deteriorating global trade and aid landscape. The latest outlook projects growth to remain steady at 4.1 percent this year with a modest pickup in 2026. In this podcast, IMF economist Athene Laws says removing barriers to private firm growth is crucial for providing the jobs needed by the region’s young and rapidly expanding labor force.Athene LawsHuman capital | December 2025The Human EdgeCuriosity, critical thinking, and self-regulation matter more than ever in the AI agePABLO PENABig data | December 2025The Hidden Price of DataRevealing data’s true price can turn passive users into active suppliers who demand fair valueLAURA VELDKAMPBig data | December 2025It’s Time to Modernize Measures of GrowthEconomic assessments may miss important changes in a rewired, data-driven economyREBECCA RILEYSee AlsoMagazine ArchivesCountry FocusBlogs
