OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has offered career advice for students concerned about artificial intelligence displacing jobs: become proficient at using AI technology itself. Speaking at an Indeed conference in Dallas on Thursday, Altman told high school and college students wondering what to study that they should “get really comfortable with these new tools” as the future job landscape remains uncertain.
Altman drew parallels to his own experience with computer programming, recalling how people once feared that computer technology would eliminate many jobs. His response was pragmatic: master the tool that’s driving change. “To me, the most obvious thing was, ‘Well, if that’s the case, I better, like, get really good at using this tool,’” Altman explained in the taped interview with Indeed CEO Chris Hyams.
The OpenAI chief expressed confidence that AI will create net positive outcomes similar to computer programming’s impact on the workforce. “The story on computer programming has been a huge net positive. It has made some classes of jobs go away. It’s made way more new things happen,” he said. While acknowledging that AI will transform the nature of work, Altman emphasized that “we never seem to run out of stuff to do.”
Altman encouraged students to focus on building experiences, products, and services that people find valuable rather than acquiring specific knowledge sets. He suggested this adaptable skillset would prove more valuable in an AI-driven future.
Addressing concerns about AI’s impact on human creativity, Altman compared the situation to the invention of the camera, which initially sparked fears about replacing traditional art forms. Instead, artists embraced photography as “an incredible new tool.” He predicted AI would follow a similar trajectory, pointing to innovative work already being produced with image generators. “It’s always tempting to call at the end of creativity. It will not happen,” he stated firmly.
Altman also shared an anecdote about AI’s potential in healthcare, recounting a conversation with a scientist who believed AI could cure cancer. The scientist expressed mixed feelings—eager for a cure but hoping AI would serve as a research assistant rather than delivering complete solutions independently. Altman himself welcomed the prospect of AI eventually surpassing his own capabilities, noting he’s “been doing it for a while” and has already “got to have the fun part.”
Key Quotes
You want to get really comfortable with these new tools because we don’t know exactly what the jobs of the future are going to look like.
Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, advised students at an Indeed conference about preparing for an AI-driven future. This quote encapsulates his core message that mastering AI technology is the best hedge against job displacement uncertainty.
To me, the most obvious thing was, ‘Well, if that’s the case, I better, like, get really good at using this tool.’
Altman reflected on his own decision to learn computer programming when people feared computers would eliminate jobs. This personal anecdote illustrates his philosophy of embracing transformative technologies rather than resisting them.
It’s always tempting to call at the end of creativity. It will not happen. I don’t believe it will happen.
Responding to concerns about AI replacing human creativity, Altman firmly rejected the notion that AI would diminish creative work. He compared the situation to how artists adapted to and embraced photography as a new medium.
I think it’ll be awesome when AI can do my job better, but I’ve been doing it for a while, and, you know, I got to have the fun part.
Altman expressed enthusiasm about AI eventually surpassing his own capabilities, suggesting he’s comfortable with the technology’s advancement because he’s already experienced the rewarding aspects of his work. This reveals his long-term optimistic view of AI’s trajectory.
Our Take
Altman’s advice reveals an interesting tension in the AI discourse: the people building transformative AI systems are telling workers to adapt rather than questioning whether the pace of change might be too disruptive. While his comparison to computer programming is valid, it glosses over the potential speed and scale of AI-driven displacement, which could be unprecedented. His optimism about creativity and new job creation is encouraging, but it assumes smooth transitions that history suggests rarely occur without friction. The cancer cure anecdote is particularly telling—even in Altman’s optimistic scenario, the scientist wants AI as an assistant, not a replacement, highlighting the human desire for agency and purpose that pure efficiency arguments miss. His message is essentially: if you can’t beat them, join them—pragmatic advice that may be necessary but doesn’t address systemic questions about who benefits from AI transformation and how we support those left behind.
Why This Matters
Altman’s comments carry significant weight as they come from the leader of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT and one of the most influential players in the AI revolution. His advice reflects a broader debate about AI’s impact on employment and education, offering a roadmap for the next generation entering an increasingly AI-integrated workforce.
The timing is particularly relevant as OpenAI reportedly works to restructure as a for-profit business, potentially making Altman billions while the company faces internal changes including the recent departure of CTO Mira Murati. His optimistic framing of AI as a tool to master rather than fear contrasts with growing concerns about job displacement and economic disruption.
Altman’s perspective suggests that adaptability and AI literacy will become essential skills across all industries, not just technology. His emphasis on creativity and problem-solving over specific knowledge domains signals a fundamental shift in how we should approach education and career preparation. For businesses and workers alike, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity to reimagine roles and develop new capabilities that complement rather than compete with AI systems.
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For those interested in learning more about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and effective AI communication, here are some excellent resources:
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-young-people-worried-about-ai-should-learn-tech-2024-9