OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declared that the United States will be able to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI) through President Donald Trump’s newly announced Stargate AI project. The ambitious initiative, unveiled at the White House on Tuesday, represents a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, with plans to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure across the United States.
During a Tuesday interview with Fox News’s Bret Baier, Altman emphasized that “this means we can create AI and AGI in the United States of America,” crediting Trump’s leadership as essential to making the project possible. “I think with a different president it might not have been possible. But we are thrilled to get to do this, and I think it’ll be great for Americans, great for the whole world,” Altman stated.
The Stargate project is expected to generate significant economic benefits, with Altman projecting the creation of “hundreds of thousands of jobs” during the White House press conference. He described it as “the most important project of this era,” underscoring the strategic importance of developing AGI capabilities on American soil.
However, Altman was quick to temper expectations about the immediate timeline for achieving AGI. In a Monday post on X (formerly Twitter), he clarified that OpenAI is “not gonna deploy AGI next month, nor have we built it,” urging followers to “chill and cut your expectations 100x!” This statement came as a reality check for those anticipating imminent AGI breakthroughs.
Despite the cautious timeline, OpenAI continues advancing its technology rapidly. In a January 5 blog post, Altman revealed that AI agents could begin joining the workforce in 2025, potentially transforming company productivity. “We are now confident we know how to build AGI as we have traditionally understood it,” he wrote, suggesting that the path forward is clear even if the destination remains distant.
The workforce implications of AI advancement remain significant. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva predicted in January 2024 that approximately 60% of jobs in advanced economies would be affected by AI. While roughly half of these positions may benefit from enhanced productivity through AI integration, the other half faces potential displacement as AI systems take over key tasks currently performed by humans, potentially leading to lower wages, reduced hiring, and in extreme cases, job elimination.
Key Quotes
This means we can create AI and AGI in the United States of America. I think with a different president it might not have been possible. But we are thrilled to get to do this, and I think it’ll be great for Americans, great for the whole world.
Sam Altman stated this during his Fox News interview with Bret Baier, emphasizing the critical role of Trump’s administration in enabling the Stargate project and positioning it as beneficial not just for America but globally.
I’m thrilled we get to do this in the United States of America. I think this will be the most important project of this era.
Altman made this declaration at the White House press conference, framing Stargate as a historically significant undertaking that will define the current technological era and secure America’s leadership in AGI development.
We are not gonna deploy AGI next month, nor have we built it. We have some very cool stuff for you but pls chill and cut your expectations 100x!
Posted on X (Twitter) on Monday, this quote shows Altman actively managing public expectations about AGI timelines, acknowledging that despite the ambitious Stargate announcement, actual AGI deployment remains years away.
Roughly half the exposed jobs may benefit from AI integration, enhancing productivity. For the other half, AI applications may execute key tasks currently performed by humans, which could lower labor demand, leading to lower wages and reduced hiring.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva wrote this in her January 2024 blog post, providing a sobering assessment of AI’s bifurcated impact on the workforce—simultaneously creating opportunities and threatening job security for millions of workers.
Our Take
Altman’s announcement reveals the tension between ambitious vision and practical reality in AI development. While the $500 billion Stargate investment demonstrates serious commitment, his immediate walk-back on X about AGI timelines shows the challenge of managing hype in an industry prone to overpromising. The political dimension is particularly noteworthy—Altman’s explicit crediting of Trump suggests AI development has become deeply intertwined with national politics and geopolitical competition, likely with China in mind. The IMF’s workforce predictions add necessary context to Altman’s job creation promises, reminding us that AI’s economic impact will be disruptive rather than purely additive. This isn’t just about building technology; it’s about reshaping the American economy and workforce in ways we’re only beginning to understand. The real question isn’t whether the US can build AGI, but whether it can manage the societal transformation that comes with it.
Why This Matters
This announcement represents a pivotal moment in the global AI race, with the United States making a massive financial commitment to secure its position as the leader in AGI development. The $500 billion Stargate investment signals that AI infrastructure has become a matter of national strategic importance, comparable to previous technological competitions like the space race.
The collaboration between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank demonstrates how AI development now requires unprecedented coordination between tech companies, investors, and government. This public-private partnership model may become the template for future large-scale AI initiatives globally.
For businesses and workers, the implications are profound. While Altman promises hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the IMF’s prediction that 60% of jobs in advanced economies will be affected by AI highlights the dual nature of this transformation—creating opportunities while simultaneously disrupting existing employment. Companies must prepare for both the integration of AI agents into their workforce and the potential displacement of human workers, making workforce planning and reskilling initiatives more critical than ever.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-trump-stargate-build-agi-us-2025-1