Economic Analysis as a Frontier of Theoretical Computer Science

Harvard FAS

How can we use tools from statistical learning theory to design better auctions? Can we use cryptography to better implement matching mechanisms? And how should we approach formally proving that welfare in Nash equilibria for many games is not "much worse" than in the social optimum? This course explores the application of diverse ideas, techniques, and solution aesthetics from theoretical computer science to derive meaningful new insights into classic economic problems. The three…