At OpenAI, examining the influence of artificial intelligence on employment has become a significant focus. The company's economic research team operates with the objective of investigating AI's effects on the workforce, businesses, institutions, and the larger economy.
Ronnie Chatterji, OpenAI's chief economist, emphasizes that succeeding in these roles requires a unique blend of skills and perspectives, as the swift advancements in AI technology can shift the nature of work in unexpected ways. Just a year ago, the concept of recursive self-improvement—where AI systems enhance their own capabilities—wasn't on his agenda, but it is now a crucial topic for his research group.
"The parameters of the job are evolving quite rapidly," he noted in an interview with Business Insider.
Chatterji's journey to OpenAI began in 2024, following prominent roles in economic policy. He has contributed to the Biden administration as coordinator of the $52 billion CHIPS initiative and served as acting deputy director of the National Economic Council. Prior to that, he was the chief economist at the Commerce Department and has an extensive academic background as a professor of business and public policy at Duke University.
Initially, OpenAI was not on Chatterji's radar. He intended to write a book based on his governmental experiences until a former colleague, now at OpenAI, reached out to him. Their early discussions revolved around supply chains and semiconductors, areas where Chatterji had significant expertise and which were pertinent to OpenAI's considerations regarding the necessary computing infrastructure for its models. Over time, these discussions expanded to encompass the economic implications of AI.
"This is a rapidly emerging field, which led to the creation of the chief economist role," explained Chatterji, who reports to OpenAI's finance director, Sarah Friar.
Chatterji now supervises a research team of roughly a dozen professionals, including economists, data analysts, and individuals with backgrounds in education and public service. While he aims to expand his team, he refrained from specifying the number of new hires.
"Our team is built around three key inquiries: the current impacts of AI on work, how businesses are embracing and restructuring around AI, and what the potential implications of increasingly advanced AI could be for the economy in the future," Chatterji shared.
He pointed out the challenge of addressing these questions, as they are evolving almost as quickly as AI technology itself. This dynamic nature necessitates adaptability among team members.
"We seek individuals who can apply rigorous economic analysis to the present circumstances while also being ready to explore questions that remain unanswered," Chatterji remarked. "Comfort with uncertainty is essential."
Chatterji's own background exemplifies this versatility: his previous academic research focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, yet at OpenAI, his role encompasses a wider scope of topics, ranging from labor markets to how enterprises adopt technology.
Collaboration and agility are also crucial within his team. Chatterji noted the volume of inquiries they receive from colleagues about economic aspects. His team collaborates with external entities, including governments and academic institutions. They recently articulated that no single organization possesses the necessary resources to tackle these economic issues independently.
The speed of innovation at OpenAI adds another layer of complexity. Chatterji described the pace as "a little insane," citing a study with a dataset that concluded in June, which others were already deeming outdated by August.
Self-direction is equally important. Team members need to identify which issues deserve attention and who will benefit from their findings, rather than adhering rigidly to predetermined instructions.
Despite the hurdles involved, Chatterji has identified a silver lining in researching AI's influence on employment. "Typically, an economist might not be the most popular person at social gatherings," he admitted. "But now, people are curious to know what role AI will play in the job market."
