We interview Phil Leslie, Cornerstone Research’s new Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, to gain his insights on the intersection of economics and technology in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
Q: As a professor and researcher, you’ve spent decades studying and teaching the intersection of economics and technology. How does your academic background inform your approach to driving innovation and growth in litigation-focused consulting?
My academic career—seventeen years studying and teaching industrial organization—deeply shapes my perspective. I understand how academic experts work, and I look forward to drawing on that experience and developing innovative ways to strengthen how we support experts as testifiers.
Even while working at Amazon, I stayed closely connected to the research community, attending conferences, and engaging with evolving economic thought. The field of economics is always advancing, including incredibly exciting ways in which AI is transforming approaches to research and analysis. We need to harness these innovations to deepen the rigor, efficiency, and reliability of our work—without losing sight of the analytical standards our clients rely on.
Q: You navigated a complex, rapidly changing industry during your time as Chief Digital Economist and Vice President at Amazon. What lessons did you learn from your experience there?
One core lesson is that innovation must be grounded in clarity of purpose. And even in risk-averse environments, innovation requires a culture that embraces experimentation. Fostering a mindset that values smart, calculated risk-taking is a key differentiator and a competitive advantage.
At Amazon, innovation wasn’t about chasing trends—it was about aligning capabilities with strategy and capitalizing on new opportunities. Those same principles apply at Cornerstone Research. Our innovation agenda is focused on strengthening what we already do exceptionally well and expanding our ability to serve clients in new ways.
Q: What role will advanced data analytics and AI play in the future of litigation-focused consulting?
Data is already central to what we do, but the scale and complexity of litigation are increasing. Decision-makers want clarity, but the problems we’re helping solve at Cornerstone Research—like merger simulations, demand modeling, or market design—are often anything but simple.
Emerging technologies now allow us to process vastly larger data sets from more sources, and even more thoroughly audit our analytical processes. We’re committed to using these advances to produce faster, more transparent, and more reliable results, without compromising on depth or rigor.
AI won’t replace human judgment, but it can accelerate our ability to get to the heart of a case. For example, we’re seeing the emergence of AI-enhanced econometrics, which offer promising new tools for litigation modeling. By automating labor-intensive tasks—such as coding, document review, or data cleaning—we free up time for deeper analysis and strategic insight. The challenge—and the opportunity—is to embrace these developments thoughtfully.
The views expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Cornerstone Research.
