Preparing for the 15th Annual CHCS Employment Conference
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta will host its 15th annual employment conference on October 1 and 2, 2026. This gathering, organized by the Bank’s Center for Human Capital Studies, serves as a focal point for economists and researchers to examine labor market trends. Paula Tkac, the Executive Vice President and Director of Research at the Atlanta Fed, will open the event at 1:00 p.m. on the first day. Attendees will assemble at the headquarters located at 1000 Peachtree Street NE in Atlanta, Georgia.
The agenda addresses critical shifts in the current economy. Participants will examine how automation and specific hiring practices affect the modern workforce. The schedule includes eight formal paper presentations along with designated times for lunch and networking. This annual event acts as a primary platform for the Federal Reserve to discuss findings related to labor supply, inequality, and the broader economic impacts of human capital investments.
Examining Artificial Intelligence and Labor Trends
The first day of the conference features a deep look into the impact of technology on workers. Lukas F. Mann from Arizona State University presents research on job transformation and the effects of artificial intelligence. This is followed by a discussion on AI in the labor market led by Bryan Seegmiller of Northwestern University. These sessions seek to quantify how new tools change job requirements.
Additional topics on the first day include trade impacts and inequality. Presenters such as Mons Chan from Queen's University will detail how global trade influences occupational sorting. Richard Rogerson will speak on the relationship between human capital accumulation and economic inequality. Each session pairs a presenter with a discussant from a major university or government institution to ensure rigorous review of the data presented.
Mobility and Long-Term Economic Indicators
The second day shifts focus toward generational mobility and household economic behavior. Matthew J. Notowidigdo of the University of Chicago will present findings on neighborhood opportunity. Jesse Rothstein of the University of California Berkeley follows with research on how firms and geographic locations shape intergenerational mobility. These studies help explain why economic status often persists across generations.
The afternoon sessions address firm-level management and international comparisons. Christina Brinkman from Boston University explores how firms manage human capital risk. The final presentation by Loukas Karabarbounis of the University of Minnesota asks why American work habits have shifted in relation to other nations. Closing remarks are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on October 2, followed by a final lunch. This conference remains a primary venue for those monitoring shifts in the United States labor market.