Before joining Columbia, he taught at Yale, Harvard, and Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona), and was a Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Research (London). After completing his undergraduate studies in Barcelona, he earned a master’s degree in International Finance and a PhD in Economics from Harvard University.

As Chief Economic Advisor to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Center, Professor Sala-i-Martin is the author and intellectual father of the prestigious Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). Published annually in the Global Competitiveness Report, this index assesses and measures the competitiveness of countries, ranks them globally, and recommends strategies to policymakers. The GCI is the world’s most widely followed indicator of economic and business competitiveness: governments and business leaders across all continents routinely use it to evaluate and design policies and strategies that strengthen competitiveness and innovation in their countries and firms.

From 2003 to 2010, he served as a board member, treasurer, and chair of the economics committee of Fútbol Club Barcelona, contributing to the creation of what many experts consider the greatest football team of all time. In 2009, FC Barcelona won all six championships it competed in, a historic achievement. Since 2021, he has served as Vice President of the FC Barcelona Foundation.

Professor Sala-i-Martin has received numerous awards, including the Juan Carlos I Prize (awarded biennially by the Bank of Spain to the best economist in Spain and Latin America), the Arrow Award (given by the International Health Economics Association to the world’s top health economist), and the Conde de Godó Journalism Prize (for the best opinion piece published in Spain). He is especially proud of the Lee Hixson and Lenfest teaching awards, granted by students at Yale and Columbia, respectively, to the best professors in the entire university.

As a science communicator, Professor Sala-i-Martin has created television programs such as Economia en Colors (winner of the Zapping Award for the most innovative television program) and El Factor Clau.

A highly experienced lecturer, Sala-i-Martin is known for making complex ideas accessible through vivid examples and engaging language. Renowned for presentations that are both humorous and insightful, he is a sought-after speaker at major economic and financial forums around the world.

In recent years, Xavier Sala-i-Martin has delivered hundreds of lectures worldwide on topics including:

• The impact of artificial intelligence on business and the economy
Based on his book Between Paradise and Apocalypse, this talk offers a rigorous explanation of what today’s AI is and is not, while analyzing its economic impact beyond the typical hype of mainstream analysts.

• The challenges of digitalization
He examines how firms must adapt to the major technological transformation that began with the personal computer, advanced with the rise of the internet, and is now accelerating with generative AI.

• Global economic outlook
A conference focused on analyzing the global economic landscape through the key factors that should guide analysts and investors. It is in high demand among organizations seeking to equip their leadership teams with solid analytical tools.

• Competitiveness and growth strategies
Using the tools he developed for the Global Competitiveness Index, Professor Sala-i-Martin evaluates the situation of a country. or group of countries, and provides diagnostic insights and strategic recommendations.

• The Fourth Industrial Revolution
An analysis of the impact of the new technological wave (including artificial intelligence, advanced genetic engineering, blockchain and decentralization, quantum computing, the fintech ecosystem, and other converging innovations) on the global economy and business models.

• Business innovation
He debunks common myths about innovation and shows that a true culture of innovation goes far beyond R&D spending.

• The educational revolution required for a globalized world
A reflection on how an educational system designed in the 19th century is increasingly inadequate to meet the technological and social challenges of the 21st century.

• How to successfully turn a company, brand, or business around
Drawing on his experience at FC Barcelona, he explains how the board he served on transformed a club that was adrift both financially and athletically, and what lessons other organizations can learn from that process.

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