Prasanna Tambe is a Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he also serves as Faculty Co-Director of Wharton Human-AI Research. His research focuses on the economics of technology and labor, particularly examining how AI and data science transform HR applications and high-tech labor markets. With publications in top journals like Management Science and Information Systems Research, Professor Tambe's work has significantly influenced understanding of IT labor economics and AI's impact on workforce dynamics. Professor Tambe earned his S.B. and M.Eng. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT before completing his Ph.D. in Managerial Science and Applied Economics at Wharton. His academic journey includes nearly a decade at NYU Stern School of Business prior to joining Wharton in 2017. Professor Tambe's research spans three interconnected domains. First, he investigates the economics of IT labor markets, studying competition for software developers and how technological shifts affect employment outcomes. Second, he examines AI's impact on work, skills, and organizational competition. Third, he analyzes how algorithms transform HR functions from hiring to retention. His methodology often leverages Internet-scale data from job sites and career platforms to measure labor market activity with unprecedented granularity. Recent work explores gender wage gaps in emerging technology adoption, remote work's impact on applicant diversity, and auditing large language models for hiring bias. Analysis of Professor Tambe's recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward examining AI's societal and workplace implications. His work increasingly focuses on generative AI's transformative potential, algorithmic fairness in hiring, and reskilling challenges. While maintaining rigorous economic analysis of labor markets, his research has evolved to address pressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in technology sectors. The interdisciplinary nature of his work bridges information systems, labor economics, and organizational behavior. Poets & Quants Best Undergraduate Professors, 2020 Best Published Paper in Information Systems Research Two papers nominated for Best Published IS Paper in Management Science 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 Information Systems Research, Best Associate Editor, 2017 ISS Sandra A. Slaughter Early Career Award, 2016 Professor Tambe serves on the editorial board of Management Science and previously served on Information Systems Research's board. His research has been supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. In the classroom, he teaches award-winning courses including "AI, Business, and Society," where students engage with hands-on labs to understand AI implementation challenges. Student testimonials consistently praise his ability to make complex technical concepts accessible and relevant to real-world business challenges. As Faculty Co-Director of Wharton Human-AI Research, Professor Tambe leads initiatives examining how organizations can effectively integrate AI while addressing ethical and operational challenges. His work with the Wharton AI research center informs executive education programs on business model innovation in the age of AI and strategies for accountable AI implementation.






