Prasanna Tambe

Prasanna (Sonny) Tambe is a Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Co-Director of Wharton Human-AI Research. His research lies at the intersection of technology, labor economics, and organizational behavior, with a focus on how AI and data science are transforming work, skills, and human resource management. He holds a Ph.D. from Wharton and advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT.

• University: University of Pennsylvania
• School: Wharton School
• Department: Department of Operations, Information and Decisions
• Academic Rank: Professor
• Email: tambe@wharton.upenn.edu

Research Interests: Tambe’s research centers on the economics of IT labor markets, AI and work, and algorithms in HR. He investigates how technological change affects worker reskilling, wage disparities, remote hiring, and algorithmic bias. His work often uses large-scale data from online labor platforms to analyze career trajectories and employer behavior.

Recent Research Trends: His recent publications explore the impact of generative AI on hiring, the gender wage gap in emerging tech roles, and how remote work increases applicant diversity. His articles reveal a strong trend toward using machine learning and natural language processing to study innovation, labor markets, and ethical AI. He frequently publishes in top journals such as Management Science, MIS Quarterly, and Information Systems Research.

Scientific Awards:

• Poets & Quants Best Undergraduate Professors, 2020
• Best Student Paper, INFORMS Conference on Information Systems and Technology, 2020
• Best Student Paper, Workshop on Information Systems and Economics, 2020
• Management Science Best Paper Published in Information Systems, 2016
• ISS Sandra A. Slaughter Early Career Award, 2016
• Information Systems Research, Best Associate Editor, 2017

Teaching and Advising: Tambe teaches award-winning courses such as AI, Data, and Society and Analytics and the Digital Economy, emphasizing real-world applications and experiential learning. He is known for making complex technical concepts accessible and for fostering student engagement. While no formal advisees are listed, his influence is evident in student testimonials praising his mentorship and teaching excellence.

Labs and Research Initiatives: As Faculty Co-Director of Wharton Human-AI Research, he leads interdisciplinary efforts to study how AI can be integrated into organizations in ways that enhance human potential, promote equity, and improve decision-making. His work often involves collaboration with data scientists, economists, and policy experts.