OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Warns AI Will ‘Totally Take Some Jobs’ But Worries ‘The World is Not Ready for’ This Much Greater Thre

Photo of a robotic head and CEO Sam Altman in background by DIA TV Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has become one of the most influential voices in artificial intelligence (AI), known for his candid assessments of both the promise and disruption brought by new technologies. In a recent Bloomberg interview, Altman addressed the looming impact of AI and robotics on employment, stating, “AI is for sure going to change a lot of jobs, totally take some jobs away, and create a bunch of new ones. This is what happens with technology, and in fact, if you look at the history of the world of technology-driven job change, it's been happening for a long time. And the thing that is different this time is just the rate of which it looks like it will happen.”

While Altman largely downplays the impact of AI on the job market, he did say humanity isn’t prepared for something else he believes will have a much greater impact: “The thing I think the world is not ready for is, I don't think the world has had the humanoid robots moment yet, and I don't think that's very far away from a visceral 'this is going to do a lot of things that people used to do.' It's coming. We have always tried to be super honest about what we think the impact may be, realizing that we may be wrong about a lot of the details.” When asked what will happen when humanoid robots arrive, Altman predicted that their presence will feel “very sci-fi,” fundamentally altering daily life and the job market.

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Altman’s authority on this subject is rooted in a career defined by technological foresight and leadership. After dropping out of Stanford, he co-founded Loopt, a location-based social networking startup, and later became president of Y Combinator, where he helped launch and scale some of Silicon Valley’s most successful startups. Since 2019, Altman has led OpenAI, guiding the organization through the development of advanced AI systems such as ChatGPT and DALL-E, which have set new standards in natural language processing and generative AI. Under his leadership, OpenAI has secured major investments, including a multi-billion-dollar partnership with Microsoft (MSFT), and has been at the center of global discussions about the ethical and societal implications of artificial intelligence.

Story continuesAltman’s comments reflect a pragmatic understanding of technological change. He draws on historical precedent, noting that job displacement and creation have accompanied every major wave of innovation, from the Industrial Revolution to the rise of the internet. What distinguishes the current era, in Altman’s view, is the speed and breadth of change that AI and robotics are likely to bring. His prediction that the world is unprepared for the “humanoid robots moment” signals a belief that the next phase of automation will be more visible and rapid than previous shifts, with robots performing tasks previously reserved for humans.

This perspective is particularly relevant as businesses and policymakers grapple with how to adapt to AI’s accelerating capabilities. Altman’s insistence on honesty about the uncertainties involved, and his acknowledgment that even experts may be wrong about the details, offers a measured approach to navigating the future of work. His leadership at OpenAI, marked by a focus on transparency and ethical considerations, lends credibility to both his warnings and reassurances alike.

As AI continues to reshape industries, Altman’s insights serve as both a caution and a call to prepare for profound changes that will challenge existing structures but also create new opportunities, as has been the case throughout technological history.

On the date of publication, Caleb Naysmith did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com

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