On the agenda was the rise of automation and robotics, and what it might mean for jobs and the economy; and economic policies that might come out of the Trump administration.

Leigh spoke about her research that suggests the U.S. specializes in the design and implementation of robotics systems rather than design and production of robotic machinery.

She also talked about the parallel sharp increases in robot sales and manufacturing output since the recession ended, in contrast to the modest increases in manufacturing employment and compensation.

Last fall she secured a grant from the National Science Foundation National Robotics Initiative to study the U.S. robotics industry and its economic impacts.

Leigh, also a professor in the School of City and Regional Planning at Georgia Tech, was among professors from other leading institutions such as Brown, Boston University, and New York University.

S&P Global provides independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets world.

You can hear some of her comments in this video.