Spanish economist Jorge Galindo, director of the Esade Centre for Economic Policy, has illustrated how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming knowledge work by using agentic AI to produce an animated explainer video on Spain’s housing crisis. The video, which synthesizes years of policy research, has attracted more than two million views and exemplifies the evolving role of AI in augmenting expert communication.

Galindo explained that while economists and researchers continue to handle the conceptual and decision-making aspects of their work, AI is increasingly taking over execution tasks that were previously outsourced to specialists such as animators and data visualizers. This shift allows experts to produce content themselves faster and at a lower cost, changing the traditional division of labor. However, Galindo pointed out that this does not necessarily eliminate work but can instead create new opportunities that would have been too costly or impractical before. In his case, the video project would likely not have existed without AI because the opportunity costs of traditional production methods were prohibitive.

The creation process involved Galindo providing AI tools with hundreds of lines of notes, a book he authored, and external data sources to guide the narrative and visual style. He emphasized that AI amplified his expertise rather than replaced it, enabling him to produce a polished product shaped by his knowledge of the housing debate and his focus on effective communication. Despite using a subscription service costing around €200 per month, the video itself required only a fraction of that monthly limit, amounting to an approximate cost of €8.

Galindo’s heavy use of AI extends beyond professional work, including everyday tasks such as trip planning and home renovation. His background in data visualization and aesthetics has influenced how he directs AI to generate content that aligns with his standards. However, he also highlighted the challenge posed by the abundance of easily generated content and ideas, which requires careful curation to avoid diluting quality or overwhelming creators.

Reflecting on the broader impact of generative AI, Galindo shared a conversation with a fellow economist who hoped AI would free up time for researchers. Galindo suggested that for those driven by constant inquiry and exploration, AI might instead lead to increased demands, potentially making it difficult to balance professional and personal life. He expressed concern about the medium- to long-term effects this may have on teams immersed in generative AI workflows.

Commentators observing Galindo’s experience noted that AI’s main impact is not merely automating existing tasks but enabling new forms of work and output that were previously unattainable. This challenges the conventional framework of "Can AI do this task?" by illustrating how AI, when combined with human expertise, can significantly expand productivity and capacity, a phenomenon consistent with the Jevons paradox, where increased efficiency can lead to greater overall output rather than reduced employment. The case underscores that AI’s value depends heavily on the knowledge and direction of its users, reinforcing its role as a tool that augments human capabilities rather than replaces them outright.