Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI, recently engaged with business leaders in New York City, discussing the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the local economy. This took place during a closing event on Tuesday.
Altman, whose company has reached a valuation of $300 billion, spent about 45 minutes in conversation with Hurst CEO Steven Swartz. Sources indicated that he shared insights about how AI is expected to develop rapidly over the coming years.
The event, organized by the New York City Partnership, featured an impressive guest list that included notable figures like billionaire Henry Kravis, Rob Spayer of Tischman Spayer, affiliate CEO Jeff Brow, and PFNYC leader Kathy Wilde.
According to the New York City Partnership, around 100 members attended to hear Altman’s presentation.
In their comments, the partnership noted that Altman emphasized, “As long as the nation embraces the evolving AI sector without excessive regulation, New York can reap substantial economic rewards by leading in AI.” They also highlighted the importance of training students and the workforce in effectively using AI tools to enhance their performance and overall quality of life.
Ronnie Chatterji, OpenAI’s chief economist, was also present, discussing how AI could boost workforce productivity.
OpenAI did not respond immediately to a request for additional comments.
Beyond Altman’s speech, OpenAI underscored New York City’s potential, stating that artificial intelligence could lead to significant job creation, revenue generation, and overall growth. The company shared an economic report that outlined its business relationship with the city.
According to the report, economists suggest that even conservative estimates predict AI could enhance productivity growth by several percentage points. If the U.S. economy were to grow just 1% faster annually for a decade, it could result in an extra $3 trillion, surpassing New York’s annual GDP.
The report also indicated that New York ranks second in the nation for the number of developers using OpenAI’s AI framework.
OpenAI mentioned that its office in SoHo employs more individuals than any other location outside its San Francisco headquarters, effectively tripling its presence in NYC.
Moreover, New York City has become the leading global market in terms of active enterprise users of OpenAI’s technology, catering to clients like Morgan Stanley and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
On the consumer side, New York holds the third spot nationally, following California and Texas, for weekly active users of ChatGPT chatbots.
