Daniel Björkegren

Daniel Björkegren is an Assistant Professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). His research focuses on digital transformation and applied machine learning in developing economies, emphasizing ethical algorithm design (robustness, transparency, and societal alignment). He is affiliated with the Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis of Development (BRACED) and MIT's Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL).

Education: Ph.D. in Economics and Master's in Public Policy from Harvard University, Bachelor's in Physics from the University of Washington.

Research interests include AI ethics in global development, digital financial inclusion, and leveraging mobile phone data for economic analysis. His work bridges computer science, economics, and public policy to address challenges in low-income regions. Recent publications explore AI applications in education, digital credit systems, and mobile network adoption in Africa.

Center Affiliations: DSI Member, Foundations of Data Science, Computational Social Science, Smart Cities initiatives at Columbia.

His research trends emphasize practical machine learning for marginalized populations, with a focus on Africa and South Asia. Articles analyze technology's role in leapfrogging traditional infrastructure constraints while addressing ethical and implementation challenges.