Topics in Market Design

Catalog description

The rapid deployment of LLMs and autonomous agents may reshape how markets are structured and how participants will interact and what frictions will arise. These technologies raise questions about incentives, information, and institutional design. Examples include entry-level labor markets, transportation, healthcare, etc. This PhD-level course surveys recent theoretical and applied research at the intersection of economics, OR, and CS that may be affected by AI. The course further examines how AI-based capabilities challenge and enrich traditional approaches to market design. In what ways does the presence of autonomous agents alter strategic behavior? How should markets be designed when AI systems act as complements or substitutes for human participants? How to achieve alignment in marketplaces with AI agents? How can AI algorithms be incorporated into the design of marketplaces? The course encourages students to begin research projects in this emerging field. The course assumes basic knowledge in game theory and market design.