‘I don’t think we’re going to have the kind of jobs apocalypse that some…advocate or talk about’: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he’s ‘delighted to be wrong’ about AI-induced job cuts
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed optimism about artificial intelligence’s impact on employment, stating that a catastrophic “jobs apocalypse” is unlikely to occur. Speaking at a Commonwealth Bank of Australia conference, Altman pushed back against widespread concerns about AI-driven mass layoffs, suggesting the reality will be less dire than some technologists and commentators have predicted.
Altman indicated he would be willing to revise his position if evidence suggests otherwise, stating he would be “delighted to be wrong” about his assessment. His comments arrive amid growing anxiety about automation and AI-driven workforce displacement, particularly as companies increasingly implement AI systems and make corresponding staffing reductions.
The remarks reflect a broader tension in the technology industry between optimistic assessments of AI’s long-term job creation potential and pessimistic concerns about near-term employment disruption. Altman’s position emphasizes potential benefits and adaptation, though critics remain skeptical about whether workers and economies can smoothly transition through periods of significant technological displacement.