AI will reshape jobs, but we won't run out of work, says OpenAI Sam Altman 

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, discusses the transformative yet gradual impact of AI on the job market and society.

In Short

• Altman suggests that many of the jobs people do today would seem trivial to someone from a few hundred years ago
• Altman shared that AI could significantly reshape labour markets
• Altman is confident that AI will continue to improve and become more capable

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, believes that artificial intelligence (AI) will bring profound changes to the job market, though not as quickly or drastically as some may fear. In a recent blog post, Altman shared that AI could significantly reshape labour markets, both positively and negatively, but he doesn’t foresee a sudden loss of jobs. He explains, “Most jobs will change more slowly than most people think, and I have no fear that we’ll run out of things to do.” He stresses that while AI will replace some tasks, it will also enable humans to focus on more creative and meaningful work, amplifying our abilities.

Altman suggests that many of the jobs people do today would seem trivial to someone from a few hundred years ago. In the same way, future generations may view our current work as outdated or unnecessary. However, just as people have adapted to technological shifts in the past, he believes society will adjust to the changes AI brings. “People have an innate desire to create and to be useful to each other,” Altman says, and AI will help us unlock new ways to contribute.

Looking beyond jobs, Altman paints a broader picture of how AI will transform society. He is optimistic that AI will enable humanity to achieve things once thought impossible. He envisions a future where AI assists in everything from healthcare to education, offering “virtual tutors who can provide personalised instruction in any subject, in any language, and at whatever pace they need.” He also foresees AI helping to solve global challenges like climate change and scientific discoveries.
Altman is particularly enthusiastic about the potential for shared prosperity in the AI-driven future. He believes that with AI, “everyone’s lives can be better than anyone’s life is now.” However, he warns that the benefits of AI must be carefully managed to avoid inequalities. One key issue is ensuring that AI and the computing power needed to run it are accessible to all, not just the wealthy. “If we don’t build enough infrastructure, AI will be a very limited resource that wars get fought over,” he warns.

Central to Altman’s vision is the idea that AI is already showing remarkable results thanks to advances in deep learning. He credits this progress with pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve, allowing it to solve increasingly complex problems. “Deep learning worked, got predictably better with scale, and we dedicated increasing resources to it,” he says, adding that this development could become one of the most important in human history.

Altman is confident that AI will continue to improve and become more capable, leading to breakthroughs that were once considered science fiction. From creating new kinds of software to improving healthcare systems, he believes AI’s potential is nearly limitless. However, he acknowledges that the journey to the "Intelligence Age" will not be without challenges. He calls for careful thought and planning to maximise AI’s benefits while addressing its risks, particularly the social and economic changes it may bring.

Altman’s message is one of cautious optimism. He sees AI as a tool that can amplify human potential and bring about unprecedented prosperity, but only if society takes proactive steps to manage its risks and ensure its benefits are shared widely.