MMT, AI, and Failing Universities: The Global Economy's New Reality
📡 FT Alphaville · 1 min read ·
Part of composite article Asia’s Currency Meltdown: Central Banks Lose $40 Billion Fight as Youth Ditch Degrees View full article →
Modern Monetary Theory is reshaping how governments think about debt. AI is solving complex math problems. Universities are struggling to stay relevant. Global trade patterns are shifting. These are not separate stories—they are signs of a system in flux.
First, MMT argues that countries with their own currency can spend freely without default risk. Critics warn this could trigger inflation. The debate is no longer academic: policymakers are testing its limits.
Second, artificial intelligence is now tackling advanced mathematics. This could speed up scientific discovery—but also threatens jobs in research and education.
Third, universities face a crisis. Falling enrollment, rising costs, and questions about value are forcing closures. The model that worked for decades is breaking.
Fourth, global trade is realigning. Supply chains are moving from efficiency to resilience. Tariffs and sanctions are rewriting the rules.
Fifth, relationships are changing. Remote work, dating apps, and economic pressure are reshaping how people connect.
Sixth, screensavers are back. After years of minimalism, digital art and nostalgia are driving a small revival.
Seventh, housing remains unaffordable. In many cities, buying a home is a distant dream for young workers.
Eighth, coffee shops are becoming community hubs. They are filling a gap left by declining churches and civic spaces.
These eight trends are not random. Together, they paint a picture of a world adapting to uncertainty.