This repository serves as a comprehensive, curated catalog of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, libraries, and resources specifically tailored for economists. It aims to empower researchers, educators, and policymakers by streamlining tasks such as data access, causal inference, literature review, and academic writing, thereby accelerating the integration of AI into economic disciplines. The primary benefit is providing a centralized, organized gateway to cutting-edge AI applications relevant to economic analysis.

How It Works

The project's core strength lies in its organization around key AI functionalities for economics. It prominently features Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, enabling AI assistants to directly query vast economic databases (e.g., FRED, World Bank, IMF) using natural language. Specialized AI agent frameworks are highlighted for automating complex research pipelines, from data collection to report generation. Additionally, it curates libraries for advanced causal inference, simulation, forecasting, and efficient literature discovery, offering a multi-faceted approach to AI-driven economic research.

Quick Start & Requirements

This repository is a curated list, not a single installable software package. Users must refer to individual tools within the list for their specific installation instructions (e.g., pip install, Docker, direct API usage). Prerequisites vary widely by tool, potentially including Python versions, specific libraries, GPU/CUDA requirements for machine learning models, and API keys for data access. Links to official quick-start guides, documentation, and demos are often provided for individual tools within the list.

Highlighted Details

• OpenEcon Data: Offers a unified natural language interface to over 330,000 economic indicators from multiple major sources, available as a web app, Python API, and MCP server.
• Stata-MCP: Provides deep integration for running Stata from AI coding environments like VS Code and GitHub Copilot, featuring real-time output and data visualization.
• AI Agent Frameworks: A broad selection of frameworks (e.g., AutoGen, CrewAI, DSPy) are listed for building sophisticated, multi-agent research workflows.
• Causal Inference Libraries: Extensive coverage of state-of-the-art libraries for causal discovery, treatment effects estimation, and difference-in-differences analysis.

Maintenance & Community

The list is actively maintained by the OpenEcon team, focused on building open-source infrastructure connecting AI and economics. Community engagement is fostered through listed newsletters (e.g., genaiforecon), podcasts (e.g., Dwarkesh Podcast), and prominent individuals and institutions in the AI and economics space.

Licensing & Compatibility

The repository itself does not specify a singular license. Individual tools listed within the catalog have varying licenses; for example, DeepSeek R1 is noted as MIT licensed. Users must verify the licensing terms for each specific tool they intend to adopt, particularly concerning commercial use or integration into closed-source projects.

Limitations & Caveats

As a curated list, the repository's limitations are inherent to the tools it references. Users should be aware that many advanced AI tools may require significant computational resources (e.g., GPUs) or specialized technical expertise. The README includes a warning regarding the potential infiltration of AI chatbots into online surveys, advising implementers to consider detection mechanisms for studies.