Angela Ahrendts
Former SVP, Apple Retail & CEO, Burberry | Lead Independent Director, Ralph Lauren | Chair, Save the Children International | DBE
Ronnie Chatterji
Chief Economist at OpenAI | Distinguished Professor at Duke University | Former White House CHIPS Coordinator | Expert on AI, Innovation & Industrial Policy
Few voices bridge AI, policy, and academia like Ronnie Chatterji, OpenAI's first Chief Economist and a Duke distinguished professor. As former White House CHIPS Coordinator, he led the rollout of a $52B industrial strategy. Audiences gain a frontline view of how AI is reshaping productivity, labor, and growth, with the rigor of a top scholar and the perspective of a senior policymaker.
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Ronnie Chatterji biography
Dr. Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji is the first Chief Economist of OpenAI and the Mark Burgess & Lisa Benson-Burgess Distinguished Professor of Business and Public Policy at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. His career has uniquely spanned academia, the White House, and corporate leadership, giving him a tri-sector vantage point on how technology, policy, and markets shape one another.
AI speaker Ronnie Chatterji is best known today for leading economic research at OpenAI, where he studies how artificial intelligence is transforming productivity, labor markets, and long-term growth. He works closely with OpenAI’s product and commercial teams to translate frontier AI capabilities into tangible value for workers, enterprises, and economies, while shaping the public conversation on how nations should prepare for an AI-driven future.
Before joining OpenAI, Chatterji served as the White House Coordinator for CHIPS Implementation, leading the rollout of the Biden Administration’s $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act, one of the most consequential industrial policy initiatives in a generation. He has also held senior roles as Acting Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Senior Economist on President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers.
Award-Winning Scholar and Tri-Sector Leader
Chatterji has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles in leading academic journals and two books, “Can Business Save the Earth?” (Stanford University Press) and “The Role of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Economic Growth” (University of Chicago Press). He is the founding director of the Deep Tech Project at Duke, which examines how generative AI, quantum computing, and synthetic biology will be financed, commercialized, and scaled, and how they will reshape geopolitics and local economies. His honors include the Kauffman Prize Medal, the Aspen Institute Rising Star award, and the Strategic Management Society Emerging Scholar award, and he is widely credited with introducing the concept of “CEO activism” through influential essays in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
As a speaker, Ronnie Chatterji offers senior audiences something rare: a frontline view of how AI is being built and deployed at OpenAI, combined with the analytical rigor of a top-tier academic and the strategic perspective of a former White House policymaker. Executives, investors, and policy leaders gain clear frameworks for navigating AI adoption, industrial policy, and deep-tech investment, along with practical insights on how to position their organizations for the next decade of technological and geopolitical change.
Ronnie Chatterji Speaking Videos
Bending the cost curve in health care and education | Aaron Chatterji | TEDxDuke
The Future of AI with Professor Ronnie Chatterji
Ronnie Chatterji Keynote Topics
Drawing on his role at OpenAI, Chatterji explores how generative AI is moving from novelty to enterprise infrastructure, where the real productivity gains will come from, and which industries are positioned to capture them first. He offers senior leaders a clear framework for thinking about AI adoption, workforce transition, and where to invest for compounding returns.
A behind-the-scenes look at one of the largest industrial policy bets in modern American history. Chatterji shares what worked, what surprised him, and how governments and companies should think about semiconductors, supply chains, and strategic technologies in an era of geopolitical competition.
From generative AI and quantum computing to synthetic biology, Chatterji examines how the next generation of breakthrough technologies will be financed, commercialized, and scaled. He maps the intersections between capital markets, national policy, and local economies, helping leaders identify where transformative value will be created.
Chatterji introduced the concept of CEO activism, and few people have studied it more deeply. He unpacks how executives should think about social, political, and geopolitical issues, when to engage, when to stay silent, and how to protect long-term enterprise value in a polarized environment.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Ronnie Chatterji
Why Ronnie Chatterji?
Booking Ronnie Chatterji is a strategic decision for any organization grappling with AI, industrial policy, or the future of innovation. As OpenAI's first Chief Economist and the former White House Coordinator for the $52 billion CHIPS Act, he combines a frontline view of frontier AI with the credibility of a top-tier Duke scholar and senior policymaker. His ability to translate complex technology and policy into actionable strategy makes him a uniquely valuable voice for C-suite audiences, boards, investors, and government leaders. Book Ronnie Chatterji through Aurum Speakers Bureau for events focused on AI, innovation, geopolitics, and economic strategy.
Is Ronnie Chatterji the Chief Economist of OpenAI?
Yes. Ronnie Chatterji was named OpenAI's first-ever Chief Economist, a newly created role focused on understanding and shaping the economic implications of artificial intelligence. He develops research on how AI is transforming productivity, labor markets, and long-term growth, and works closely with OpenAI's product and commercial teams to ensure the benefits of AI reach as many people as possible. He remains on leave from his distinguished professorship at Duke University while serving in the role.
Did Ronnie Chatterji lead the CHIPS Act implementation?
Yes. Chatterji served as the White House Coordinator for CHIPS Implementation under the Biden Administration, where he led the rollout of the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act, one of the largest industrial policy initiatives in modern U.S. history. The program is designed to revitalize America's semiconductor manufacturing base, strengthen national security, and secure critical supply chains. He has also served as Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce and Senior Economist on President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers.
What topics does AI speaker Ronnie Chatterji cover?
Ronnie Chatterji speaks on artificial intelligence and the economy, industrial policy and the CHIPS Act, deep tech investment (AI, quantum, synthetic biology), innovation and entrepreneurship, geopolitics and supply chains, and CEO activism, a concept he helped pioneer. His talks are tailored for executives, boards, investors, and policymakers seeking a rigorous, decision-ready perspective on how technology and policy will shape the next decade. Book Ronnie Chatterji through Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring this rare blend of frontier AI insight and policy expertise to your event.
How to book Ronnie Chatterji as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Ronnie Chatterji as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Ronnie Chatterji's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Ronnie Chatterji or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Ronnie Chatterji speaking fee?
Ronnie Chatterji speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Ronnie Chatterji to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Ronnie Chatterji.
How can I contact Ronnie Chatterji?
We only work with Ronnie Chatterji on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Ronnie Chatterji and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Ronnie Chatterji speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Ronnie Chatterji for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Ronnie Chatterji for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Ronnie Chatterji is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Ronnie Chatterji for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
