OpenAI Taps Former White House Economist to Navigate AI's Economic Impact
1min read OpenAI has recently announced the appointment of former White House official Aaron Chatterji as its first Chief Economist, marking a significant step in the organization’s evolution. Chatterji, currently a professor at Duke University, will spearhead research on the impact of artificial intelligence on economic growth and job creation. His expertise draws from previous roles as the Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce under President Biden and as a senior economist on President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers.
During his time with the Biden administration, Chatterji was the White House Coordinator for the Chips Initiative, responsible for enacting subsidies for U.S. semiconductor production and research. His appointment at OpenAI underscores the company’s ambition to deepen understanding of AI’s economic consequences, including the development of AI infrastructure and its effects on global economic trends and labor markets.
The addition of a Chief Economist is indicative of OpenAI’s broader goals. The company has expressed a strong desire to expand its presence in the tech industry, shifting away from its original nonprofit ambitions. This move is part of a larger strategy that includes high-profile hires like Chris Lehane, a former lawyer from the Clinton era, to lead global affairs.
These strategic hires align OpenAI with the patterns established by Silicon Valley giants, such as Alphabet and Meta, who integrated experienced economists early in their growth. OpenAI’s recent board reshuffle, which welcomed figures like former NSA head Paul M. Nakasone and former Treasury Secretary Summers, further positions the company as a rising force akin to its established peers.
