Moody's Talks - Inside Economics

Originally published on May 1st, 2026.
Peter McCrory, the Head of Economics at AI juggernaut Anthropic, joins the Inside Economics team to consider all things AI and the economy. The discussion begins with how the group is using Claude in our work, then shifts to AI’s current and expected lift to productivity, and to the underappreciated economic ramifications of AI. It turns out that Lancaster PA, is turning out some great economists.
Guest: Peter McCrory, Head of Economics at Anthropic
For more from Peter McCrory: https://peter-mccrory.github.io/
Read The Macroeconomic Consequences of AI and Aging and the Productivity Puzzle
View our latest articles and research on AI- https://www.economy.com/ai-insight-hub
Hosts: Mark Zandi – Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, Cris deRitis – Deputy Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, and Marisa DiNatale – Senior Director - Head of Global Forecasting, Moody’s Analytics
Follow Mark Zandi on 'X' and BlueSky @MarkZandi, Cris deRitis on LinkedIn, and Marisa DiNatale on LinkedIn

Questions or Comments, please email us at InsideEconomics@moodys.com. We would love to hear from you.

To stay informed and follow the insights of Moody's Analytics economists, visit Economic View.

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The Fed met this week and gave the Inside Economics crew a lot to talk about. Joining the fray are three colleagues, Martin Wurm, Justin Begley, and Matt Colyar. Opinions varied on the wisdom of September’s rate hike, how much of an attempt it was to signal Chair Warsh’s independence from the White House, and the likelihood that more hikes are in tow. The group plays the numbers game and debates what changes should be made to Moody’s Analytics baseline forecast after Wednesday’s meeting. All of this is prefaced by a lengthy conversation about everyone’s hair (or lack thereof).
Hosts: Mark Zandi – Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, Cris deRitis – Deputy Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, and Marisa DiNatale – Senior Director - Head of Global Forecasting, Moody’s Analytics
Follow Mark Zandi on 'X' and BlueSky @MarkZandi, Cris deRitis on LinkedIn, and Marisa DiNatale on LinkedIn

Questions or Comments, please email us at InsideEconomics@moodys.com. We would love to hear from you.

To stay informed and follow the insights of Moody's Analytics economists, visit Economic View.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ben Harris, Director of the Economic Studies Program at the Brookings Institution, joins the Inside Economics team to discuss his new research on how AI could shape the nation’s fiscal outlook. The bottom line: it’s complicated. AI has the potential to lift economic growth and ease pressure on the budget, but it won’t erase the difficult choices ahead on taxes, spending, and the nation’s long-term debt path.
Hosts: Mark Zandi – Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, Cris deRitis – Deputy Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, and Marisa DiNatale – Senior Director - Head of Global Forecasting, Moody’s Analytics
Follow Mark Zandi on 'X' and BlueSky @MarkZandi, Cris deRitis on LinkedIn, and Marisa DiNatale on LinkedIn
Guest: Ben Harris, Director of Economic Studies Program, Brookings Institution
View our latest articles and research on AI- https://www.economy.com/ai-insight-hub

Questions or Comments, please email us at InsideEconomics@moodys.com. We would love to hear from you.

To stay informed and follow the insights of Moody's Analytics economists, visit Economic View.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Inside Economics team is joined by colleague and CPI guru Matt Colyar to discuss August's CPI inflation report, which came in a touch hotter than expected. Mark ranks his top four inflation culprits, and the team weighs in. Next week's Fed meeting is top of mind, and there's some disagreement about the likelihood of a Fed rate hike.
Guest: Matt Colyar
To access Mark and Matt's paper The Fed's Inflation Drama, click here: https://www.economy.com/getfile?q=0944A835-CD53-4092-ADD2-B22EEC4A45D3&app=download
Hosts: Mark Zandi – Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, Cris deRitis – Deputy Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, and Marisa DiNatale – Senior Director - Head of Global Forecasting, Moody’s Analytics
Follow Mark Zandi on 'X' and BlueSky @MarkZandi, Cris deRitis on LinkedIn, and Marisa DiNatale on LinkedIn

Questions or Comments, please email us at InsideEconomics@moodys.com. We would love to hear from you.

To stay informed and follow the insights of Moody's Analytics economists, visit Economic View.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of our AI series, Ara Kharazian, lead economist at fintech company Ramp, joins the Inside Economics team to discuss the state of AI adoption. Drawing on Ramp’s real-time business spending data, Ara offers a unique view into which firms and industries are moving fastest, which are lagging, which LLMs are gaining traction, how token pricing is evolving, and what data center constraints and government regulation could mean for the AI boom.
Guest: Ara Kharazian, Lead Economist, Ramp
View our latest articles and research on AI- https://www.economy.com/ai-insight-hub

Questions or Comments, please email us at InsideEconomics@moodys.com. We would love to hear from you.

To stay informed and follow the insights of Moody's Analytics economists, visit Economic View.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.