Bracha Cohen, who holds a position as a partner and engineer, emphasized the importance for young talent to concentrate on comprehending the functioning of systems. She suggested that individuals pursuing computer science degrees should prioritize developing the skill of asking insightful questions to both humans and machines. Last year, Goldman Sachs brought in interns at a historically low rate.

With a prime view of Wall Street’s AI revolution, Bracha Cohen also observes how young individuals can effectively compete within this sphere. In a statement, Cohen, who is a partner specializing in asset and wealth management engineering, encouraged new graduates to prioritize developing judgment alongside technical skills in the rapidly transforming landscape influenced by AI. She highlighted that while AI can streamline processes, it cannot wholly replace critical thinking, system analysis, and ethical decision-making.

Having started at Goldman as a programmer back in 1994, long before AI proficiency became a standard requirement in job applications, Cohen attributed her rise to partner status to her diverse experiences across various business sectors within the company. Presently, her engineering team in asset management concentrates on automating operations to facilitate business expansion through AI applications. The flourishing division managing assets totaling $3.6 trillion relies on AI for tasks such as data analysis and summarization.

Amidst concerns about diminishing white-collar job opportunities and apprehension regarding AI’s impact on junior positions, Cohen recommended that young engineers shift their focus from task completion to understanding system functionalities better. She stressed the significance of mastering fundamental engineering principles since AI should be utilized as an enhancement rather than a dependency.

Cohen also advised computer science majors to hone their skills in risk assessment and formulating incisive queries for both human interactions and AI algorithms. Additionally, other Goldman partners have highlighted the increasing importance of interpersonal abilities and communication skills in the evolving landscape of AI workplaces.

For engineers aspiring to work specifically on AI projects, certain criteria must be met. Dan Popescu, recently promoted to managing director and heading Goldman’s AI engineering division for asset management, outlined the essential skill set required for competitive hires: proficiency in AI engineering, financial knowledge, and traditional software engineering.

Goldman’s substantial investment of $6 billion in technology last year led to the development of internal AI tools like an assistant and a limited banker copilot. Through its OneGS initiative detailed in an October memo, Goldman aims to enhance efficiency, reduce hiring pace, and potentially downsize certain roles while focusing on attracting top-tier talent rather than reducing staff numbers in the long term.