OpenAI has taken a bold step into the world of finance by hiring more than 100 former investment bankers from firms such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Morgan Stanley. The company’s goal is to train its artificial intelligence systems to understand and replicate complex financial modeling. According to several reports, these professionals are being paid up to $150 per hour to help develop AI that can automate some of the most time-consuming analytical work performed by junior bankers.
This move highlights the growing relationship between technology and finance. It also raises an important question about how automation will reshape fintech jobs and the skills employers will prioritize in the future.
What OpenAI Is Building
The project, known internally as Project Mercury, is designed to teach AI how to handle tasks such as financial forecasting, valuation analysis, and deal modeling. Recruited bankers are producing real models that include IPO pricing, merger scenarios, and leveraged buyout structures. These models are then used to train the AI to recognize the logic, structure, and formatting standards used across the industry.
By learning directly from experienced professionals, OpenAI’s system can identify the difference between a strong financial model and a weak one. It can also adapt to the judgment and workflow typically seen in top investment banks. The ultimate goal is to create AI that supports financial decision-making with greater accuracy, speed, and reliability.
Impact on Fintech Jobs
For people working in or applying for fintech jobs, this shift represents both opportunity and risk. On one hand, tasks that rely heavily on repetitive modeling and spreadsheet analysis could become automated. On the other, professionals who know how to manage, interpret, and enhance AI-driven tools will see growing demand for their skills.
Many fintech employers already expect candidates to understand data science, Python, or cloud-based systems such as AWS and Azure. Now, knowledge of AI-assisted modeling could soon become a standard requirement. Instead of focusing only on number crunching, future analysts will need to demonstrate strategic thinking, quality control, and business insight.
There will also be a rise in fintech jobs focused on oversight, validation, and compliance. As AI becomes more embedded in financial workflows, regulators and auditors will need professionals who can confirm that these systems produce accurate and ethical outcomes.
Big Tech’s Role in Finance
OpenAI’s initiative is part of a wider trend where major technology companies are entering financial services. Amazon and Google are already investing in payments, lending, and digital wallets. Their growing involvement creates thousands of jobs in payments, engineering, sales, and regulatory roles across fintech. These companies are not replacing finance professionals but instead changing what they do and how they work.
As artificial intelligence takes on repetitive processes, human workers are expected to focus on interpretation, client communication, and strategic problem-solving. The value of a finance professional will lie in their ability to work with technology, not against it.
How Candidates Can Stay Competitive
Professionals aiming to build careers in fintech should take several steps to stay ahead. First, develop technical fluency. Understanding how AI tools operate and how to feed them accurate data will be essential. Learning Python, SQL, or basic prompt engineering can strengthen your profile.
Second, build domain expertise. Employers look for specialists who understand key areas such as payments, trading, or risk management. Candidates who can combine this knowledge with an understanding of AI and automation will be highly attractive.
Third, strengthen communication skills. Even in a world driven by data, the ability to explain complex findings clearly and confidently remains critical. Employers consistently value professionals who can turn analysis into actionable insight.
Finally, show adaptability. Fintech companies evolve quickly. Demonstrating that you can embrace new technology and learn continuously will set you apart in any hiring process.
The Future of AI in Finance
OpenAI’s decision to recruit over 100 ex-bankers signals a shift in how financial work will be done. Traditional entry-level roles based on manual modeling are declining, while new types of fintech jobs are emerging that combine technology, regulation, and strategy.
AI will not remove the need for people in finance, but it will redefine their responsibilities. The professionals who thrive will be those who understand both technology and business. In this new landscape, success will depend less on the ability to build a spreadsheet and more on the ability to interpret what the spreadsheet means.
As artificial intelligence continues to mature, collaboration between humans and machines will define the next generation of financial innovation. The future of fintech jobs belongs to those ready to guide, train, and work alongside AI systems, not compete with them.