OpenAI Hires Biden’s Ex-Chief Economist to Lead AI Economic Impact Study

OpenAI hires Aaron Chatterji, who was Biden’s chief economist, to lead research on how AI will affect the economy, how it will grow, and how it will affect jobs.

OpenAI has hired its first chief economist, Aaron Chatterji, who was previously the chief economist at the Commerce Department under President Joe Biden and a senior economist on President Barack Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers.

Chatterji, a Duke professor of business and public policy, will lead OpenAI’s research into the economic impacts of AI, including how it may affect economic growth and job prospects.

Notably, Chatterji helped coordinate the Biden administration’s implementation of the 2022 CHIPS Act, which authorizes approximately $280 billion in funding for computer chip development in the United States.

His understanding of the project and political connections could benefit OpenAI as it embarks on its chip design efforts.

Chatterji was not OpenAI’s sole high-profile hire today. The company has appointed Scott Schools, a former associate deputy attorney general and Uber’s compliance head, as its new chief compliance officer.

He will consult with OpenAI’s board and teams across the organization on legal and ethical issues, according to the company.