Taking a class on quantum computing within the first few days of joining business school wasn’t exactly how I thought I’d run into one of the coolest minds in AI. Professor Aaron Chatterji, lovingly known as Ronnie, sat down with all the incoming Fuqua MBA students to talk about the future of a quantum computing hub in Durham, North Carolina.
When I pictured the future of computers, I imagined shiny labs in Silicon Valley or sleek data centers in Singapore, not a charming city in the middle of the Carolinas. But the world is full of surprises, and Ronnie had a way of making even quantum computing feel close to home.
So, when I got the chance to interview him one-on-one about the future of artificial intelligence, it didn’t fully register that I was sitting across from the chief economist at OpenAI. He didn’t appear saddled by the weight of a fancy title or speak in tech jargon. Instead, he talked to me like a peer, someone who understood that curiosity is just as valuable as credentials.
I came into Fuqua after three years as a consultant working in generative AI mergers and acquisitions at Accenture. I’d seen the corporate side of the AI boom, but here was someone who had shaped policy at the White House and now steered economic thought at OpenAI. He was… approachable. Insightful. Grounded.
Our conversation wasn’t about sci-fi futures. It was about how to prepare for the careers, communities, and classrooms that AI is already reshaping. And boy, was I worried about that.
We covered everything from responsible tech to the global talent race and how MBA students like me should be thinking about career strategy in an AI-powered world. What stood out the most was Ronnie’s ability to zoom out and zoom in at the same time, connecting national policy to personal development with a clarity that felt rare in a world where everyone wants to believe they’re the next big expert.
Here are three big takeaways I’ve been sitting with ever since:
Fancy tech jargon like prompt engineering used to mean nothing to me until I realized it was just a glorified way of saying: “entering the right things into the machine to get it to produce the output you want.”
When Ronnie said the trick to AI is learning to wield it, I finally understood the nuance. It gave a deeper meaning to the idea that AI isn’t here to replace jobs or people; it’s here to build and work with you. But only if you’re willing to meet it halfway. Just like a car, if you don’t learn how to steer the wheel, you’re not going anywhere.
In an increasingly interconnected world, the faster we adapt, the more we keep up.
It’s easy to talk about AI like it lives in the cloud: abstract, untouchable, the stuff of tech giants and sci-fi shows. To be honest, if a 5-year-old asked me what the cloud is, I probably still couldn’t explain it. But Ronnie made one thing clear: the true power of AI lies in the hands of people, not platforms.
He reminded me that the U.S.’s secret weapon is the ecosystem of trust we’ve built between universities, the government, and businesses. When these three work in sync, we can create AI that serves people. However, we can’t live in the Candyland of AI gumdrops and sunshine and expect that everyone will be altruistic, trustworthy, and well-intentioned in their practices. So, let this serve as a reminder that our ecosystem is fragile.
Without intention, transparency, and values baked into every line of code and policy decision, AI could easily deepen inequality, fuel bias, or erode public trust. While it’s tempting to think AI is “out to get” us, the reality is, we’re still the ones shaping it. The question is whether we’ll do so with short-term thinking or long-term responsibility.
Because AI doesn’t decide how it’s used. We do.
As a full-time MBA student smack in the middle of a tech revolution, I’d be lying if I said I haven’t wondered if I’m learning fast enough to stay relevant. Between the daily avalanche of new tools, shifting job descriptions, and industry jargon, it sometimes feels like the real class I’m enrolled in is Adaptability 101.
Ronnie’s advice? It’s not about chasing the next shiny tool or memorizing the latest AI framework. It’s about staying insatiably curious.
AI is flattening the barriers to knowledge. Anyone can ask a question, but tomorrow’s leaders are asking the right questions, right now. Whether you’re an engineer, an economist, or a consultant (like me), your real skill is being deeply, creatively, and relentlessly interested in the world. That starts with the people around you.
I didn’t expect one of my first exciting opportunities at business school to be interviewing a former White House economist turned OpenAI executive, but that’s the magic of Fuqua and of Ronnie Chatterji. The truth is, AI isn’t some untouchable, far-off phenomenon dictated by an engineering degree. It’s already shaping the jobs we’ll take, the problems we’ll solve, and the lives we’ll lead.
After this conversation, I’m more certain that it’s not about keeping up with AI but leading it with intention. And that leadership starts right here in Durham.
The post Leading With Curiosity in the Age of AI: My Conversation With Professor Ronnie Chatterji appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
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I'd be glad to learn your thoughts on this story : Leading With Curiosity in the Age of AI: My Conversation With Professor Ronnie Chatterji
When I pictured the future of computers, I imagined shiny labs in Silicon Valley or sleek data centers in Singapore, not a charming city in the middle of the Carolinas. But the world is full of surprises, and Ronnie had a way of making even quantum computing feel close to home.
So, when I got the chance to interview him one-on-one about the future of artificial intelligence, it didn’t fully register that I was sitting across from the chief economist at OpenAI. He didn’t appear saddled by the weight of a fancy title or speak in tech jargon. Instead, he talked to me like a peer, someone who understood that curiosity is just as valuable as credentials.
I came into Fuqua after three years as a consultant working in generative AI mergers and acquisitions at Accenture. I’d seen the corporate side of the AI boom, but here was someone who had shaped policy at the White House and now steered economic thought at OpenAI. He was… approachable. Insightful. Grounded.
Our conversation wasn’t about sci-fi futures. It was about how to prepare for the careers, communities, and classrooms that AI is already reshaping. And boy, was I worried about that.
We covered everything from responsible tech to the global talent race and how MBA students like me should be thinking about career strategy in an AI-powered world. What stood out the most was Ronnie’s ability to zoom out and zoom in at the same time, connecting national policy to personal development with a clarity that felt rare in a world where everyone wants to believe they’re the next big expert.
Here are three big takeaways I’ve been sitting with ever since:
1. You’re Not Competing With AI, You’re Collaborating With It
Fancy tech jargon like prompt engineering used to mean nothing to me until I realized it was just a glorified way of saying: “entering the right things into the machine to get it to produce the output you want.”
When Ronnie said the trick to AI is learning to wield it, I finally understood the nuance. It gave a deeper meaning to the idea that AI isn’t here to replace jobs or people; it’s here to build and work with you. But only if you’re willing to meet it halfway. Just like a car, if you don’t learn how to steer the wheel, you’re not going anywhere.
In an increasingly interconnected world, the faster we adapt, the more we keep up.
2. Responsible AI Starts With Responsible Institutions
It’s easy to talk about AI like it lives in the cloud: abstract, untouchable, the stuff of tech giants and sci-fi shows. To be honest, if a 5-year-old asked me what the cloud is, I probably still couldn’t explain it. But Ronnie made one thing clear: the true power of AI lies in the hands of people, not platforms.
He reminded me that the U.S.’s secret weapon is the ecosystem of trust we’ve built between universities, the government, and businesses. When these three work in sync, we can create AI that serves people. However, we can’t live in the Candyland of AI gumdrops and sunshine and expect that everyone will be altruistic, trustworthy, and well-intentioned in their practices. So, let this serve as a reminder that our ecosystem is fragile.
Without intention, transparency, and values baked into every line of code and policy decision, AI could easily deepen inequality, fuel bias, or erode public trust. While it’s tempting to think AI is “out to get” us, the reality is, we’re still the ones shaping it. The question is whether we’ll do so with short-term thinking or long-term responsibility.
Because AI doesn’t decide how it’s used. We do.
3. Your Curiosity Matters Most
As a full-time MBA student smack in the middle of a tech revolution, I’d be lying if I said I haven’t wondered if I’m learning fast enough to stay relevant. Between the daily avalanche of new tools, shifting job descriptions, and industry jargon, it sometimes feels like the real class I’m enrolled in is Adaptability 101.
Ronnie’s advice? It’s not about chasing the next shiny tool or memorizing the latest AI framework. It’s about staying insatiably curious.
AI is flattening the barriers to knowledge. Anyone can ask a question, but tomorrow’s leaders are asking the right questions, right now. Whether you’re an engineer, an economist, or a consultant (like me), your real skill is being deeply, creatively, and relentlessly interested in the world. That starts with the people around you.
I didn’t expect one of my first exciting opportunities at business school to be interviewing a former White House economist turned OpenAI executive, but that’s the magic of Fuqua and of Ronnie Chatterji. The truth is, AI isn’t some untouchable, far-off phenomenon dictated by an engineering degree. It’s already shaping the jobs we’ll take, the problems we’ll solve, and the lives we’ll lead.
After this conversation, I’m more certain that it’s not about keeping up with AI but leading it with intention. And that leadership starts right here in Durham.
The post Leading With Curiosity in the Age of AI: My Conversation With Professor Ronnie Chatterji appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
More...
How does this impact your International MBA decision?
I'd be glad to learn your thoughts on this story : Leading With Curiosity in the Age of AI: My Conversation With Professor Ronnie Chatterji