Discover three surprising facts about OpenAI's newly appointed chief economist.

Discover three surprising facts about OpenAI's newly appointed chief economist.
Discover three surprising facts about OpenAI's newly appointed chief economist.

1. OpenAI has appointed its first chief economist. 2. Here are three things to know about OpenAI's new chief economist. 3. Meet OpenAI's new chief economist and learn about his background and responsibilities.

3 things you may not know about OpenAI's new chief economist]

OpenAI aims to examine the economic impact of artificial intelligence on society.

OpenAI appointed Dr. Aaron "Ronnie" Chatterji as its first chief economist on Oct. 22. In this position, he will lead research on various AI-related topics, including the economic impact of AI innovations and how the workforce can use AI tools now and in the future, as stated in OpenAI's press release.

Larry Summers, OpenAI board member and former U.S. Treasury Secretary, stated in a press release that Dr. Chatterji's in-depth knowledge of the economic and societal forces that influence our world will guide OpenAI's objective of developing AI tools that drive growth, address intricate problems, and promote sustainable prosperity.

OpenAI's new chief economist, Chatterji, has previously held high-profile roles. Here are three things you may not know about him.

1. He's taught at Duke University for nearly 20 years

Since 2006, Chatterji has been teaching at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, starting as an assistant professor of strategy before becoming a distinguished business and policy professor.

He offers a variety of business-oriented courses and developed a widely acclaimed advanced corporate strategy elective that incorporates case studies and current events to examine how the country's evolving political climate influences business leaders' choices.

He earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Cornell University and his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley's Haas School of Business before attending Duke.

2. He's worked with President Biden and President Obama

Chatterji has previously held senior economic policy positions with two presidential administrations.

He served as the acting deputy director of the White House National Economic Council from September 2022 to August 2023, where he led the implementation of President Biden's CHIPS and Science Act, which allocated billions of dollars toward U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and science research.

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During President Obama's first term, he held the position of senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisors in 2010.

3. He's published two books and over 30 research papers

On top of numerous awards, Chatterji is also a published author.

In 2018, he published his first book, "Can Business Save the Earth? Innovating Our Way to Sustainability," which examines the potential of the private sector to drive economic growth while minimizing its environmental impact.

In 2022, he co-edited a book titled "The Role of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Economic Growth," which examines why some industries have thrived due to increased innovation and entrepreneurship while others have struggled.

He has published more than 30 research papers and several op-eds in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

Chatterji stated in OpenAI's Oct. 22 press release that her career has centered on researching the impact of innovation and entrepreneurship on the economy and society, and she is thrilled to utilize her abilities to contribute to OpenAI's goal of making sure that the advantages of artificial intelligence are accessible to all.

He expressed excitement about contributing to research that will inform the transition to an AI-driven economy.

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