“If I were 22 right now and graduating college, I would feel like the luckiest kid in all of history” — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claims he’s more worried about Gen X than Gen Z when it comes to AI job loss

Artificial Intelligence (AI) may ultimately replace many jobs we currently hold, but it’s also possible that AI won’t live up to its hype and won’t impact employment significantly. The reality might be somewhere in between, and even the experts can’t predict with certainty what the future holds for job market disruption due to AI advancements.

Based on various factors such as the specific day, weather conditions, and individual perspectives, the response to the significant question, “Could AI replace human jobs?”, can vary considerably.

Jensen Huang, NVIDIA’s CEO and co-founder who currently holds about 90% of the market share for AI-driven chips, anticipates that everyone’s work will be impacted in some way. However, he remains optimistic that as long as humans keep generating new ideas, we will persistently advance.

The CEO of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, provided a straightforward response in May, highlighting the need for governments to stop minimizing the potential threat of AI to white-collar roles. He even asserted that AI might take over as many as half of entry-level jobs.

In simpler terms, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has recently penned a public document describing a fresh approach for Meta’s artificial intelligence. This concept, which he terms “personal superintelligence,” is intended to strengthen individuals instead of rendering them obsolete.

Bill Gates openly expresses his thoughts on job displacement due to artificial intelligence, suggesting that AI could take over many tasks but may not replace humans in coding. A Microsoft-led study revealed a list of approximately 40 jobs most susceptible to AI advancements, potentially impacting millions of individuals.

The CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai, believes the chances of artificial intelligence bringing about catastrophic consequences for humanity are quite significant. Meanwhile, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has brought up an additional concern regarding AI potentially displacing human jobs.

Sam Altman is more concerned about the impact AI will have on older generations

In the role of an analyst, I would rephrase it as: “On August 8th, I had the opportunity to listen in on Sam Altman’s appearance as a guest on Cleo Abram’s Speaking on Huge Conversations Podcast (as reported by Business Insider), where our focus was primarily centered around the upcoming release of GPT-5.

Although it’s been discovered that GPT-5 didn’t live up to its hype after its release, the podcast has provided numerous discussion topics that I’ve been pondering over this past week.

When asked to speculate on the state of the world and its workforce in 2035, Altman expresses difficulty envisioning that far into the future. However, he paints an optimistic picture that seems almost surreal, suggesting students might be embarking on a space mission as astronauts to explore the solar system, engaging in groundbreaking, highly rewarding, and intriguing careers.

Abram reformulates the query to inquire about the future landscape of 2030. During this discussion, Altman expresses his greater concerns for those belonging to older generations rather than the youth seeking employment.

I’m primarily concerned about its implications, especially for the 62-year-old who prefers not to undergo retraining or reskilling (as often referred to by politicians), a prospect that many people find unappealing, particularly those in politics.

Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO

Altman sets forth his perspective, suggesting that it is not just plausible but undeniably accurate that certain job categories will become obsolete in due course. He observes that this pattern of change has historically occurred, and he emphasizes that young people possess a remarkable aptitude for adapting to such transformations.

Altman expresses, “If I were currently 22, fresh out of college, I would feel as if I’m the most fortunate individual across all eras in history. Right now is an extraordinary period to embark on creating something entirely original, to innovate, to launch a business, whatever that might be.

These sentiments can certainly be seen as out of touch.

A recent Fortune report challenges Altman’s stance, asserting that male Gen Z graduates now face an unemployment rate similar to those without a degree upon college graduation.

In my locale, Canada, youth unemployment rates are presently at levels not observed since the 1990s, as reported by CBC News.

In alignment with Zuckerberg’s perspective on personal superintelligence, Altman suggests that advanced AI tools could enable individuals to achieve tasks previously considered impossible.

It’s now feasible for an individual to launch a company, even a solo venture, with the potential to surpass a billion dollars in value. Moreover, this endeavor offers an exceptional opportunity to offer world-class products and services. You possess resources that once required large teams, but with learning these tools and nurturing a remarkable idea, you could achieve something truly astonishing.

Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO

The ongoing debates among AI company leaders about potential job displacement can often be confusing, as it appears they are striving to consider both viewpoints evenly.

AI holds two potential outcomes: Either it will become so advanced that it significantly reduces workforce requirements by minimizing labor costs, making it a viable investment opportunity, or it will provide an unprecedented level of individual empowerment, rendering protests unnecessary due to its transformative nature.

Does the excitement around AI exceed reality? Could it lead to job loss, or will it help us instead? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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2025-08-15 18:51