From New Delhi to OpenAI: Meeting the Digital Future

By Chad Laws (AES Communications Specialist)

Meet Giulio Starace, a global citizen and Research Engineer who spent his formative years in the shadow of the mighty Banyan Tree at AES. His journey from an Italian diplomat's son in New York to a cutting-edge researcher in Rome is a testament to the international spirit nurtured on the New Delhi campus.

A Diplomatic Detour and a Return to Rome

Giulio's AES adventure began in 2002, when his Italian diplomat father transitioned from a UN post in New York City to a post in New Delhi. He attended AES from Pre-K 4 through Second Grade, spanning 2002 to 2006. Following their four years in India, the diplomatic life kept the family moving; they first spent a few years "back home" in Rome before their next stop in Abu Dhabi. There, he attended the American Community School and notably had the opportunity to face AES as an athletic rival in MESAC competitions. The family ultimately returned to Rome, marking the finish line for his high school education and the city he still calls home today.

Benchmarking the Future

While his childhood was spent exploring the world, his career is focused on exploring the capabilities of artificial intelligence. He currently works as a Research Engineer contractor for OpenAI. His daily focus? Developing benchmarks and evaluations of frontier AI models—in other words, "studying what exactly the models are capable of." A cerebral job, which, he admits, takes up most of his hours. When he's not charting the edges of AI, his free time is a refreshingly low-tech contrast: walks, runs, and catching up with friends and family over dinner and drinks.

Snapshots of an International Childhood

Despite being quite young during his four years at AES, three vivid memories shine through, subtly shaping the person and professional he is today:

The Banyan Tree's Sanctuary: The enormous Banyan Tree remains his strongest visual memory—a "mysterious air" yet a "wise and protective" presence. Playing around this large, comforting, monolith of nature instilled an early appreciation and respect for the outdoors. 

Giulio’s second outstanding memory is his unforgettable first-grade teacher. Mr. Walker had a unique, lighthearted energy and a legendary (although later discontinued) tradition of holding students upside down by their ankles when they wore new shoes. He introduced students to songs like "We Will Rock You," which Giulio claims contributed to the alumnus's "default setting of lightheartedness, even in 'serious' contexts." An important trait when working on the frontier of AI!

His third takeaway, one that he shares with all alumni, is the international melting pot of AES. From "Indian Studies" that brought the epic Ramlila/Dussehra celebrations to life, to International Days with food and artifacts from every corner of the globe, to normalizing curiosity, this early immersion made "culture, in its many nuanced dimensions," a "strong attractor" in his approach to work and life in general.

The Spirit of Joyful Learning

When asked about the AES mission statement's "joyful pursuit of excellence," the alumnus noted that while he was too young to name it, he certainly felt its spirit. "Teachers who made learning feel fun, a campus that invited curiosity, and a sense that school was something to look forward to. If that aligns with the 'joyful pursuit of excellence,' then I suppose I experienced the spirit of it without ever naming it."

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