A research agenda for assessing the economic impacts of code generation models

Frontier risk and preparednessSafetyOct 26, 2023

OpenAI Team
3 min readintermediate
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Overview

The article outlines a research agenda developed by OpenAI to assess the economic impacts of code generation models, particularly focusing on Codex, an AI model trained on code. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these impacts on productivity, employment, and economic inequality as AI capabilities continue to advance.

What You'll Learn

1

How to assess the economic impacts of code generation models like Codex

2

Why understanding AI's effects on productivity and employment is crucial for policymakers

3

When to collaborate with external researchers to measure economic impacts effectively

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Understanding of large language models and their applications in software development
  • Familiarity with economic impact assessments(optional)

Key Questions Answered

What are the economic impacts of code generation models like Codex?
The economic impacts of code generation models include effects on productivity, employment, skill development, inter-firm competition, consumer prices, and economic inequality. Understanding these impacts is essential for informing deployment policies and AI system design.
How does Codex generate functionally correct code?
Codex generates functionally correct code 28.8% of the time on a sample of evaluation problems, showcasing its potential to influence software development practices and economic outcomes.
What areas should research focus on regarding AI's economic impacts?
Research should focus on productivity, employment, skill development, inter-firm competition, consumer prices, and economic inequality to provide evidence for decision-making in policy and design.

Key Statistics & Figures

Functionally correct code generation rate
28.8%
This statistic reflects Codex's performance on a sample of evaluation problems, indicating its effectiveness in generating usable code.

Technologies & Tools

AI/ML
Codex
Codex is used as a code generation model to assess its economic impacts.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Engage in collaborative research to better understand the economic impacts of AI in software development.
Collaborating with external researchers can enhance the quality of economic impact assessments and lead to more informed decision-making in AI deployment.
2
Focus on the six priority outcome areas identified in the research agenda.
By concentrating on these areas, researchers can provide valuable insights that will help shape policies and practices around AI technologies.

Common Pitfalls

1
Overlooking the broader economic implications of AI technologies.
Many researchers may focus solely on technical performance without considering how these technologies affect employment and economic structures, which is crucial for comprehensive assessments.

Related Concepts

Large Language Models (llms)
Economic Impact Assessment
AI Deployment Policies
Software Development Practices