logo
Here Are the Traits OpenAI Executives Look For in New Hires

Here Are the Traits OpenAI Executives Look For in New Hires

Entrepreneur07-07-2025
These traits matter more than a Ph.D or formal schooling in AI, say the executives.
What kinds of skills do OpenAI leaders look for in new hires?
OpenAI's head of ChatGPT, Nick Turley, and chief research officer, Mark Chen, tackled this question on an episode of the OpenAI podcast released last week. It turns out that the two OpenAI executives don't seek out an Ivy League educational background or AI breakthroughs in new hires. Instead, they search for more intrinsic traits: curiosity, agency, and adaptability.
"Hiring is hard, especially if you want to have a small team that is very, very good and humble, and able to move fast," Turley admitted on the podcast. "I think curiosity has been the number one thing that I've looked for, and it's actually my advice to students when they ask me, 'What do I do in this world where everything's changing?'"
Related: Getting a Wharton MBA Was 'a Waste of Time,' According to a Global Bank CEO. Here's the Degree He Recommends Instead.
There's still so much that AI researchers have yet to learn about the technology that approaching its development requires "a certain amount of humility," Turley said.
He explained that building AI is less about knowing the right answers and more about knowing how to ask the right questions with an innate curiosity.
Turley looks for new hires who are "deeply curious" about the world and what OpenAI does.
Related: Goldman Sachs CIO Says Coders Should Take Philosophy Classes — Here's Why
Chen agreed with Turley and added that he looks for agency in new hires, or the ability to find problems and fix them with little oversight. He also searches for adaptability, or a willingness to adjust to a fast-changing environment.
"You need to be able to quickly figure out what's important and pivot to what you need to do," Chen stated.
Chen noted that agency and adaptability were more important than having a Ph.D in AI. He said that he himself joined OpenAI in 2018 as a resident without much formal AI training.
"I think this is a field that people can pick up fairly quickly," Chen said.
Related: These Are the AI Skills You Should Learn Right Now, According to the World's Youngest Self-Made Billionaire
There are other skills that other executives have pinpointed as essential in the age of AI. Alexandr Wang, the MIT dropout who co-founded data training startup Scale AI and now leads Meta's AI efforts, noted in an interview with WaitWhat media CEO Jeff Berman last year that prompt engineering was an important skill to have. He recommended studying fields like math and physics that emphasized long-term thought.
Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs' chief information officer, Marco Argenti, wrote in a post last year in the Harvard Business Review that he recommended studying philosophy in addition to engineering.
OpenAI was worth $300 billion as of March, following a record-breaking $40 billion fundraising round, the biggest tech funding round on record from a private company.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tyton Partners and Ufi Ventures Release Q2 2025 VocTech Market Report: AI Shockwaves, UK Industrial Strategy, and Transatlantic Divergence Take Centre Stage
Tyton Partners and Ufi Ventures Release Q2 2025 VocTech Market Report: AI Shockwaves, UK Industrial Strategy, and Transatlantic Divergence Take Centre Stage

Yahoo

time24 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Tyton Partners and Ufi Ventures Release Q2 2025 VocTech Market Report: AI Shockwaves, UK Industrial Strategy, and Transatlantic Divergence Take Centre Stage

LONDON, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyton Partners, the leading strategy consulting and investment banking firm focused on the education sector, and Ufi Ventures, the UK's specialist investor in vocational technology (VocTech), today released their Q2 2025 VocTech Market Report. This quarterly publication explores the trends shaping vocational learning and workforce development across the UK, Europe, and North America. The second quarter of 2025 has been marked by increasing anxiety around artificial intelligence's disruptive impact on labour markets, a wave of significant UK policy announcements, and early signs of capital rotation from the US to Europe amid political volatility. Vocational education and training remain firmly in the spotlight as policymakers and investors confront mounting challenges tied to youth disengagement, employment shifts, and rapid technological change. Key Takeaways Labour markets are causing concern, even in the US. The UK government made a series of major policy announcements, many of which see increased investment in key sectors and skills. The detail is important and not yet here. Big Tech companies – including 'hyperscalers' such as OpenAI – are muscling in to the education space, likely in search of long-term users and increased engagement. The future of junior white-collar workers, and how they should be trained, is a key focus of debate. Being conscious of what may have previously been taken for granted (informal 'learning by doing' in particular) looks important. Companies who facilitate AI-driven HR workflows are raising sizeable funding, with some European businesses closing unusually large €20m+ Series A rounds. Alongside UK reforms, policy developments in the US and Europe are creating new dynamics. Germany's coalition is advancing ambitious investment programmes. In the US, escalating attacks on higher education and the erratic policy environment under the Trump administration may be triggering a shift of capital and student interest to the UK and Europe. Helen Gironi, Director at Ufi Ventures, commented: 'AI is shaking up workforce development from every angle. Employers, policymakers and learners are all being forced to adapt. At Ufi Ventures, we see opportunity in this disruption, but only for those who are ready to innovate and act with clarity.' Nick Kind, Managing Director at Tyton Partners, added: 'We are seeing a critical turning point. AI is accelerating change, but it is also highlighting systemic gaps in skills and training. With new policy commitments in the UK and a capital environment in flux, the landscape is as complex as it is promising. This report offers grounded insight into how to respond.' To access the full Q2 2025 VocTech Market Report, visit: About Tyton Partners Tyton Partners is the leading provider of strategy consulting and investment banking services to the global knowledge and information services sector. With offices in Boston and New York City, the firm has an experienced team of bankers and consultants who deliver a unique spectrum of services from mergers and acquisitions and capital markets access to strategy development that helps companies, organizations, and investors navigate the complexities of the education, media, and information markets. Tyton Partners leverages a deep foundation of transactional and advisory experience and an unparalleled level of global relationships to make its clients' aspirations a reality and to catalyze innovation in the sector. Learn more at About Ufi Ventures Ufi Ventures is the investment arm of Ufi VocTech Trust. Ufi supports the adoption and deployment of technology to improve skills for work and deliver better outcomes for all. By leveraging its depth of experience Ufi Ventures supports its growing portfolio through access to capital, and its wide expert pool and network. Learn more at Media ContactZoe Wright-NeilDirector of Marketing and Business Developmentzwrightneil@ Partners

Chinese stock pickers lead global hedge fund gains as markets swing
Chinese stock pickers lead global hedge fund gains as markets swing

Yahoo

time24 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Chinese stock pickers lead global hedge fund gains as markets swing

By Summer Zhen HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hedge funds focused on Chinese equities posted double-digit returns in the first half of the year, outperforming global peers, fuelled by a rebound in Hong Kong stocks and bets on artificial intelligence and "new consumption" firms. Some fund managers said their more agile use of hedging tools also helped cushion losses during the market turmoil in April, triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of "reciprocal tariffs" on all trading partners. The Greater China Equities Hedge Fund Index tracked by With Intelligence delivered a 15% gain in the first half, topping the hedge fund data platform's regional and strategy benchmarks. Hong Kong- and Shenzhen-based Triata Capital rose 45% in the first six months and 62% by July 15, following a 19% gain in 2024. The $1.2 billion hedge fund has reaped rewards from its concentrated bets on undervalued AI software, data centers, internet platforms, and selected consumer stocks such as education and hotels. "Even following this year's news on DeepSeek, we still see underappreciated upside in China's AI software space," said Sean Ho, founder and chief investment officer at Triata, which leverages a significant amount of alternative data. Many internet companies' new business lines, empowered by AI technology, "present pure upside optionality." Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index and MSCI China jumped 20% and 16%, respectively, in the first six months, among the world's best performers. The rally extended into July, with previously lagging mainland stocks catching up. The Shanghai Composite Index just hit a new high for the year this week. FountainCap Research & Investment capitalised on what it calls "cute economy", or companies that offer emotionally engaging products aimed at young consumers. The $2 billion firm's flagship long-only fund was up 22% from January to June. "Obviously Pop Mart is the best representation of this, but other things like pet care would fall under this too," said Steven Luk, CEO of FountainCap. Shares of "blind box" toymaker Pop Mart, FountainCap's top holding, have surged roughly 200% so far this year. The first half was not smooth sailing. Trump's unexpected tariff announcement and China's immediate countermeasures, sent shockwaves through global markets in early April. That triggered a 13% plunge in the Hang Seng Index on April 7 — its steepest single-day drop since 1997. Still, prolonged geopolitical uncertainties have prompted Chinese fund managers to sharpen their use of hedging tools. "We had rapidly increased hedging positions and significantly reduced net exposure of our portfolio during this period of wild market volatility," Hong Kong-based Golden Nest Capital said in its June newsletter. That helped the fund, which targets high-quality, low-volatility returns, record a 12th consecutive month of positive returns. SILENT BULL MARKET While near-term volatility may rise as the deadline for a U.S.-China tariff truce approaches, fund managers are staying bullish. FountainCap's Luk described the current China market as a "silent bull market", noting that global capital has yet to return and Chinese company valuations remain low relative to developed market peers. Geopolitical tension is also abating. "It seems the market is pricing in gradual improvements, with little attention paid to the tariff deadline," Luk said. Simon Hopkins, CEO of Singapore-based Milltrust International Group, a hedge fund allocator, said he plans to increase exposure to China in the second half, drawn by the country's AI innovations and precision manufacturing capabilities. "There is going to be a huge recognition that Chinese technology is a place that is going to attract a lot of capital," he said. "The U.S. dominance in that area is being undone." CHINA-FOCUSED HEDGE STRATEGY FIRST-HALF FUNDS PERFORMANCE Triata Equity long short 45.1% Aspoon Equity long short 22.1% First Beijing Equity long only 27% Greenwoods - Golden Equity long short 20.4% China Fund Pinpoint - China Fund Equity long short 9.4% Golden Nest Equity long short 10.1% Ren Bridge Equity long short 9.2% FountainCap Equity long only 21.8% ForwardEdge Equity long short 16.3% WT China Focus Equity long only 36.2% Sources: Investors and funds Note: WT and ForwardEdge did not immediately reply to Reuters' requests for comment

Australia to reduce US beef import restrictions denounced by Trump as a ban
Australia to reduce US beef import restrictions denounced by Trump as a ban

Yahoo

time24 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Australia to reduce US beef import restrictions denounced by Trump as a ban

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia will reduce restrictions on U.S. beef imports after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized what he described as an Australian ban on the meat, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said. Collins said Thursday that relaxing the restrictions designed to keep Australia free of mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, among its cattle herds would not compromise biosecurity. 'Australia stands for open and free trade — our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this,' Collins said in a statement. Australia has allowed imports of beef grown in the United States since 2019. But Australia has not allowed imports from the U.S. of beef sourced from Canada or Mexico because of the disease risk. But the U.S. has recently introduced additional movement controls that identify and trace all cattle from Mexico and Canada to their farms of origin. US cattle import controls satisfy Australian authorities Australian authorities were 'satisfied the strengthened control measures put in place by the U.S. effectively manage biosecurity risks,' Collins said. The timing of the new, reduced restrictions has not been finalized. Trump attacked Australian import restrictions on U.S. beef when he announced in April that tariffs of at least 10% would be placed on Australian imports, with steel and aluminum facing a 50% tariff. 'Australia bans — and they're wonderful people, and wonderful everything — but they ban American beef,' Trump told reporters then. 'Yet we imported $3 billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone. They won't take any of our beef. They don't want it because they don't want it to affect their farmers and, you know, I don't blame them, but we're doing the same thing right now,' Trump added. Lawmaker fears appeasing Trump endangers Australian cattle industry Opposition lawmaker David Littleproud suspected the government was endangering Australia's cattle industry to appease Trump. 'I want to see the science and it should be predicated on science. I'm suspicious of the speed at which this has been done,' Littleproud told reporters. 'We need to give confidence to the industry, but also to you (the public): this is not just about animal welfare, this is about human welfare, this is about BSE potentially coming into this country and having a human impact, so I think it's important the government's very transparent about the science and I don't think it's even beyond the question to have an independent panel review that science to give confidence to everybody,' he added. Around 70% of Australian beef is exported. Producers fear that export market would vanish overnight if diseases including mad cow or foot-and-mouth disease infected Australian cattle. Will Evans, chief executive of Cattle Australia who represents more than 52,000 grass-fed beef producers across the nation, said he was confident the agriculture department had taken a cautious approach toward U.S. imports. 'The department's undertaken a technical scientific assessment and we have to put faith in them. They've made this assessment themselves. They've said: 'We've looked at this, we've looked at the best science, this is a decision that we feel comfortable with,'' Evans told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. 'When you have a 75 billion (Australian dollar, $50 billion) industry relying on them not making this mistake, I'm sure they've been very cautious in their decision-making,' he added. US beef prices rise because of drought and a domestic cattle shortage Beef prices have been rising in the U.S. due to factors that include drought and shrinking domestic herd numbers. The average price of a pound of ground beef in the U.S. rose to $6.12 in June, up nearly 12% from a year ago, according to U.S. government data. The average price of all uncooked beef steaks rose 8% to $11.49 per pound. Australia's opposition to any U.S. tariffs will be high on the agenda when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secures his first face-to-face meeting with Trump. Albanese and Trump were to hold a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit in Canada last month, but the U.S. president left early. Albanese expects the pair will meet this year, although no date has been announced. The two countries have had a bilateral free trade deal for 20 years and the U.S. has maintained a trade surplus with Australia for decades. Rod Mcguirk, The Associated Press

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store