Based on her LinkedIn profile she doesn't seem to have much experience in ML/AI and barely any experience in programming. She seems to have played the role of product manager most of the time. How does someone like her rise to CTO? Genuinely curious. I've aspired to be CTO but have been repeatedly told that the position needs a mix of business, technical and management acumen. How did she acquire all of this so fast? Is she wicket smart?
Kind of disheartening to see <i>multiple</i> comments here hinting or outright stating that this was a diversity hire. If we were talking about Mike Murray, I doubt those same people (possibly anyone) would be saying he got the job because of systemic racism, injustice, and inequity.
There are no specific rules or tests to become a CTO. Anyone can hold that position. I know of a company where the CEO and CTO were appointed to tick the diversity box.<p>In fact, US government has even gone to the extent of employing in their administration, a luggage thief, just in the name of diversity. Not joking, search for Sam Brinton who was the head of nuclear waste management in US administration.
Majority of good CTOs I have met are good communicator and persuader first and good technologist second. You can be the technology genius but if you are unable to communicate and persuade effectively, you're not going to last long.
Likely the same reason that Altman is CEO without having extensive ML/AI experience: <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34471720" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34471720</a>