A Goldman Sachs partner in technology shares the skills young job seekers need in the AI workplace
Business Insider
February 14, 2026
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Bracha Cohen, a partner at Goldman Sachs, emphasizes the importance of judgment, systems thinking, and ethical reasoning for young professionals entering an AI-driven workplace. She advises computer science majors to focus on asking good questions—both of humans and machines—and to master engineering fundamentals rather than relying solely on AI tools as "leverage" rather than a crutch. With Goldman Sachs investing heavily in AI and facing slow hiring trends, Cohen highlights the need for engineers to understand how systems function and to develop interpersonal skills like communication and risk evaluation.
Cohen’s career at Goldman Sachs began as a programmer in 1994, long before AI became a focus. Over time, she rose to partner by gaining diverse experience across business lines. Today, her team uses AI primarily for routine tasks like data analysis and summarization, while focusing on automating operations to scale the firm’s $3.6 trillion asset management business. She stresses that AI can automate execution but cannot fully replace decision-making or systems thinking.
Goldman Sachs has embraced AI with significant investments, including internal tools like an assistant and a "banker copilot." However, the firm’s hiring has slowed, with a record low percentage of interns hired last year. Cohen notes that while AI is transforming industries, it is not about replacing humans but augmenting their abilities. Interpersonal skills and ethical reasoning remain critical in navigating the evolving workplace.
Dan Popescu, head of AI engineering at Goldman Sachs, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a combination of AI engineering, finance expertise, and traditional software skills. The firm’s CEO, David Solomon, has also stated that AI will not reduce headcount in the
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/14/2026