Key facts
- OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar stated AI tools like Codex are now essential for finance hires.
- Knowledge workers represent 20% of Codex users and are growing rapidly.
- Deloitte survey shows AI and automation skills are top priority for finance talent development.
- OpenAI expects compute power to remain scarce into 2026.
- OpenAI is making aggressive infrastructure investments to meet compute demand.
OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar has indicated that proficiency with AI tools such as Codex is now a fundamental requirement for finance professionals, akin to knowing how to use Excel. Speaking at the Liquidity Summit 2026, Friar emphasized that the company's hiring criteria are evolving with technological advancements. She noted that knowledge workers constitute approximately 20% of Codex users and are experiencing a growth rate more than three times that of other user segments. This perspective aligns with Deloitte's Finance Trends 2026 report, which identified AI and automation skills as the foremost priority for finance talent acquisition and development among over 1,300 global finance leaders. Friar also highlighted significant challenges in securing sufficient computing power to meet escalating demand, stating that compute will remain a scarce resource through 2026 despite substantial infrastructure investments. She defended the company's proactive approach to acquiring compute resources, asserting that it was a necessary strategy given the projected ongoing shortages. Compute refers to the processing power required to run and train AI models, including the underlying chips and systems that support AI services. Friar added that compute constraints extend far beyond chips alone, encompassing energy supply, land availability, permitting speed, memory production, talent pipelines, and community relationships.