Blueprint for an AI Future: OpenAI Chief Economist on How AI Will Shape the Global Economy
Blueprint for an AI Future: OpenAI Chief Economist on How AI Will Shape the Global Economy  
Podcast: TechSurge: Deep Tech Podcast
Published On: Thu Jun 05 2025
Description: Will AI displace more jobs than it creates? How can the U.S. win the AI race? How can AI benefits be evenly distributed across businesses and society?We explore these questions and more as Sriram Viswanathan sits down with Ronnie Chatterji, Chief Economist at OpenAI, for an in-depth exploration of AI's economic impact and policy implications. Ronnie brings a unique perspective, having served as an economic advisor in both the Obama and Biden administrations as a senior economist, supply chain advisor, and architect of the CHIPS Act.The conversation dives into the economic opportunities and challenges of AI adoption, from productivity gains and job market transformation to the critical need for workforce retraining and AI upskilling in schools. Ronnie also delves into America's competitive position in the global AI race, the critical need for infrastructure investment in order to continue scaling this emerging technology, and the lessons learned from implementing major industrial policy like the CHIPS Act.Links:Learn more about OpenAI's economic research and policy work - OpenAIRead OpenAI's Economic Blueprint for the US - OpenAI’s Economic BlueprintExplore the CHIPS and Science Act - CHIPS.govRonnie Chatterji's academic work at Duke University - Duke Fuqua School of Business (00:00) - The Expanding Role of AI in Human Agency (02:36) - Economic Implications of AI and Job Market Dynamics (08:43) - Opportunities and Challenges in Labor with AI (13:49) - Preparing Future Generations for an AI-Driven World (19:15) - Ensuring Equitable Access to AI Technology (23:07) - Infrastructure Development for AI Growth (25:25) - Geopolitical Considerations in AI Development (28:05) - Global Collaboration in AI Development (31:07) - The EU's AI Regulatory Framework (35:04) - The Chips Act: Vision and Implementation (39:02) - AI Investment Landscape (42:04) - Global Perspectives on AI: Insights from India and China (45:36) - Misconceptions and Future of AI Education