Beyond GDP: The Controversy Over Measuring Progress and Well-Being in the Age of AI

Contemporary economics faces a fundamental challenge: moving away from the fetishization of GDP as the sole measure of success. This article explores the debate over new indicators of progress that incorporate subjective well-being, quality of life, and natural capital. A key element of this transformation is the use of artificial intelligence and big data in public statistics, which allows for precise monitoring of the 'Beyond GDP' agenda. A shift to a three-dimensional model that connects the economy, society, and ecology is becoming imperative in times of financial crises and the rising costs of traditional growth. This article sheds light on how properly measuring well-being can redirect public policy and restore its social legitimacy.