jobs apocalypse — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that the rapid advancement of AI is unlikely to result in a global ‘jobs apocalypse’. Speaking at a Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) conference in Sydney, he expressed relief that AI has not displaced as many white-collar jobs as he initially anticipated.
Initially, Altman had concerns regarding the impact of AI on global employment levels, believing that the technology would significantly affect entry-level jobs. However, during his conversation with CBA CEO Matt Comyn, he admitted that he was ‘pretty wrong’ about the social and economic implications of AI’s rise.
“I’m delighted to be wrong about this,” he remarked, acknowledging that the extent of job displacement has been less than expected. Altman reflected on how he and his team at OpenAI had been accurate in their predictions about the technology itself when launching ChatGPT in 2022, but they misjudged its broader effects on employment.
Despite his previous warnings about potential job cuts due to AI advancements, Altman emphasised that there remains a ‘human part’ of employment that AI cannot replace. He noted how, even though he utilises AI for tasks such as responding to Slack and email messages, he still values direct human interaction.
“I had it reply to messages, saying ‘this is Sam’s AI’, and it was an amazing example to me of how much we really do care about our interactions with people,” he shared, highlighting the irreplaceable nature of human contact in the workplace.
Altman’s insights come amid growing reports from major companies like HSBC, Amazon, Standard Chartered, and CBA, which have acknowledged that some roles are being replaced by AI technology. However, he remains optimistic about the future of employment, suggesting that the landscape will be very different from what many had feared.
As OpenAI prepares for a potential US initial public offering, with reports suggesting a valuation of around $1 trillion, Altman’s comments may influence how the public perceives the evolving relationship between AI and employment. His reassessment of AI’s impact on job markets serves as a reminder that while technology continues to advance, the human element in employment remains vital.
