In this high-energy episode, we sit down with Ronnie Chatterji, Chief Economist at OpenAI, to unpack why Southeast Asia might just be the most exciting region for AI adoption right now.

While the West debates regulation and risk, Asia’s young, ambitious workforce is seizing AI as a tool to leapfrog outdated development models — from rethinking education to building local AI-powered apps. We talk growth-hacking governments, geopolitics, calorie-counting with ChatGPT, and why the real AI race isn’t about who builds the models — but who uses them best.

Timestamps

00:00 – “We Need Smarter Models”

Ronnie kicks things off by stating OpenAI’s not-so-secret sauce: better models in products people actually want.

01:00 – Professor to Policy to OpenAI: How Did He Get Here

Ronnie shares his career path — from academia to the White House to the bleeding edge of AI.

07:45 – Why Southeast Asia’s AI Optimism Is Different

Asia’s younger, hungrier, and way more bullish on AI than the West. Ronnie explains why.

11:00 – Advice for Governments: Educate, Build Infra, Pick Your Lane

Three things every emerging market leader should do today to prep for AI.

14:00 – Is There Really an AI Race? Spoiler: It’s Not Zero-Sum

Ronnie breaks down why “US vs China” is too simplistic — and where Southeast Asia fits in.

18:30 – Chips, Supply Chains & Econ 102

We dig into semiconductors, national security, and how Ronnie helped architect the CHIPS Act.

21:20 – Which Jobs Are Safe? Which Aren’t?

From classrooms to call centers — Ronnie predicts where AI hits hardest (and where it won’t).

24:00 – Will Robots Replace Steph Curry?

We talk robotics, blue-collar disruption, and why humans still matter — especially in the NBA.

27:00 – Should We Regulate AI Now?

Ronnie makes the case for adaptive regulation and cross-sector collaboration.

30:00 – Inside OpenAI: Culture, Speed & 12 Products in 12 Days

What’s it really like working at OpenAI? Hint: it’s a bit like finals week, every week.

32:45 – What OpenAI Must Get Right Next

Ronnie lays out the two things OpenAI has to nail to stay ahead.

37:20 – Teaching Kids Critical Thinking in an AI World

Ronnie the dad explains how to balance screen time, schoolwork, and AI exposure at home.

39:00 – A Hopeful Future: What Ronnie Wants AI to Unlock

A surprisingly sweet close: better tools, deeper curiosity, and more meaningful work for the next generation.

Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at [email protected].

60/40 is co-hosted by: Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Ronnie Chatterji, Chief Economist of OpenAI. 

A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.