Nick Otis

Nick Otis is a PhD candidate in the Management of Organizations group at the Berkeley Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.13 His research focuses on how artificial intelligence impacts entrepreneurial performance and strategy, with a particular interest in understanding how technology can benefit underserved people, places, and firms.1

Some key points about Nick Otis:

Research and Achievements

• His job market paper provides causal evidence from a large, randomized field experiment on the impact of generative AI on entrepreneurial performance.1
• His work has been recognized as a finalist for the INFORMS/Organization Science Best Dissertation Proposal Competition (2024) and the SMS Annual Best Conference Paper Prize.1
• He won the Wharton People Analytics White Paper Competition (2024) and received a Best Paper Prize at the Academy of Management (2024).1

Academic Background

• Currently pursuing a PhD at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business.5
• Entered the PhD program in 2023.3
• His research interests include strategy, entrepreneurship, and innovation.3

Publications and Research

Nick has authored and co-authored several notable papers:

1. "The Uneven Impact of Generative AI on Entrepreneurial Performance" (2023).2
2. "Toward a science of delivering aid with dignity: Experimental evidence and local forecasts from Kenya" (2020).2
3. "Forecasting the results of experiments: Piloting an elicitation strategy" (2020).2
4. "Global Evidence on Gender Gaps and Generative AI" (2024).2

Recent Work

Nick recently conducted a five-month randomized control trial with 640 Kenyan entrepreneurs to study the impact of a GPT-4-powered AI business "mentor" on small business performance.4 The study found mixed results, with above-median performers seeing profits or revenue climb by 15%, while low-performers' revenues decreased by 8%.4

Nick Otis is actively engaged in research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and business strategy, with a focus on how these technologies can impact various segments of the business world, particularly in emerging economies.