AI (Artificial Intelligence) is making good progress and we have seen computers doing very well at strategy games like Chess and Go. AI is ideal for situations where a large quantity of data has to be processed as the basis of a 'logical' decision.  This applies in strategy games, and in commercial activities such as

The UK Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) suggests the productivity picture might finally be starting to change. The EEF recently unveiled some mixed findings. On the positive front, its report – Productivity: the state of the manufacturing nation – revealed that over six in ten UK manufacturers (64%) achieved productivity growth in the past two years,

How will the Internet of Things (IoT) impact on productivity - of different sectors We know that lots of (mainly technology) companies are betting big on IoT  - but is this investment wise? For consumers, developments like smart thermostats, smart lighting and so on are interesting - but how compulsive a purchase are they?  The

The USA recently held National Agriculture Day. A key concern expressed by many of those participating this year was the need for greater investments in the very foundation of American agriculture: the research, development and extension services required to maintain the high productivity and environmental sustainability of American farmers and ranchers and to provide sufficient

What are the secrets to productivity development at the national level? Well, after many years experience in a range of countries, I would have to say "Don't ask me". There is no panacea, no golden bullet. If I had to offer any advice, it would be to ; Get the macroeconomy right - reduce regulation,

A number of agencies, and even countries, have attempted to create measures of 'happiness' - as an alternative to using GDP to value the work undertaken by people. This needs further work - but shows some promise. Lots of activity is currently not 'caught' in official GDP figures.  The work of volunteers, for example ...

The UK Office for National Statistics has just issued time series data for labour productivity across a number of years and for a number of sectors.  Quite interesting (for productivity nerds like me) but ultimately unhelpful in so far as the level of aggregation is so high that it has no effect on behaviour or

Some of you will now that I have been in Bahrain for the last week helping prepare for the World Productivity Congress which will be held here in November. (see worldproductivitycongress.net for details.) Conversations obviously covered the productivity of Bahrain and its move towards becoming a post-oil economy.  Lots of Bahrainis look at Dubai as

I am not a political animal - except insofar as I think I understand the role of government in creating the infrastructure required for productivity development (and have offered advice to quite a few governments over the years).  However, I must day that I am astonished by the current political scene in the USA. The