OpenAI CEO: AI May Replace 40% of Jobs

Published Date : 28/09/2025 

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could replace 40% of jobs in the coming years, raising significant concerns about the future of work. How will this impact various industries, and what steps can workers take to adapt? 

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and reshaping the job market. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has been vocal about the potential impact of AI on employment. In a recent address at the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network in Berlin, Altman discussed the impending changes and the concept of superintelligence.

Speaking at the event, Altman stated, “By the end of this decade, so, by 2030, if we don’t have models that are extraordinarily capable and do things that we ourselves cannot do, I’d be very surprised.” He highlighted the rapid progress in AI, noting that while models like GPT-5 can outperform humans in many tasks, they still have limitations. However, he anticipates that in the near future, AI will be capable of making scientific discoveries that humans cannot achieve on their own.

Altman’s warnings extend beyond AI research to the job market. He emphasized that while entire job profiles may disappear over time, the more immediate shift will be in the tasks within jobs. “I can easily imagine a world where 30-40% of the tasks that happen in the economy today get done by AI in the not very distant future,” he said. Customer support roles, particularly those conducted over the phone or computer, are among the first likely casualties of automation. On The Tucker Carlson Show, Altman said, “I’m confident that a lot of current customer support that happens over a phone or computer, those people will lose their jobs, and that’ll be better done by an AI.”

The future of programming remains uncertain. Altman noted, “A job that I feel way less certain about what the future looks like for is computer programmers. The meaning of being a computer programmer today is very different than it was two years ago. You’re able to use these AI tools to be hugely more productive.” He framed the disruption as both a challenge and an opportunity. “The thing that I find useful is to think about the percentage of tasks, not the percentage of jobs. There will be many jobs where a lot of what it means to do that job changes. AI can do things much better. It can free up people to do more and different things. There will, of course, be totally new jobs.”

Becoming a father this year has shaped Altman’s perspective on education and adaptability. He emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and resilience. “The meta-skill of learning how to learn, of learning to adapt, learning to be resilient to a lot of change. Learning how to figure out what people want, how to make useful products and services for them, how to interact in the world,” he said. He is optimistic about human ingenuity. “I’m so confident that people will still be the center of the story for each other. I’m also so confident that human desire for new stuff, desire to be useful to other people, desire to express our creativity, I think this is all limitless. Each new generation uses their creativity and new ideas and the tools the previous generation built for them to astonish us. And I’m sure my kids will do the same.”

Concerns about artificial intelligence treating humans as inconsequential, similar to how humans treat ants, have been raised by some researchers. Speaking on this, Altman reflected on the moral alignment of artificial general intelligence (AGI). “My co-founder, Ilya Sutskever, once said that he hoped that the way that an AGI would treat humanity or all AGIs would treat humanity is like a loving parent. And given the way you asked that question, it came to mind. I think it’s a particularly beautiful framing,” he said. Altman further clarified, “Even if it has no intentionality, by asking it to do something, there could be side effects, consequences we don’t understand. And so it is very important that we align this tool to human values. But we get to align this tool to human values and I don’t think it’ll treat humans like ants. Let’s say that.”

The message is clear: change is inevitable, but preparation is possible. Understanding which tasks can be automated, learning to adapt, and cultivating skills that complement AI will define the careers of tomorrow. Customer support may become largely automated, programming is evolving rapidly, and countless other tasks are on the brink of transformation. For workers, the pressing question is not whether AI will change work, but how to position themselves at the center of that change. Altman’s caution and optimism together suggest that while AI could replace 40% of tasks across jobs, it also offers the tools for a new era of human productivity. As he observed, the coming years will challenge assumptions about work, skill, and creativity, but they will also reward those who embrace learning, adaptability, and ingenuity. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is superintelligence, and when does Altman predict it will be achieved?

A: Superintelligence refers to an AI that is smarter than humans in all respects. Sam Altman predicts that by 2030, we will have models that are extraordinarily capable and can do things humans cannot do.

Q: Which jobs are most at risk of being replaced by AI?

A: Customer support roles, particularly those conducted over the phone or computer, are among the first likely casualties of automation. However, tasks within many jobs, not just entire job profiles, may be automated in the near future.

Q: How will AI impact the future of programming?

A: The future of programming is uncertain, but AI tools are already enabling programmers to be more productive. The meaning of being a computer programmer is evolving, and AI will likely change many aspects of the job.

Q: What skills should workers focus on to adapt to an AI-driven world?

A: Workers should focus on lifelong learning, adaptability, and resilience. Skills such as learning how to learn, figuring out what people want, and making useful products and services will be crucial.

Q: How does Altman view the moral alignment of AI?

A: Altman emphasizes the importance of aligning AI to human values. He believes that AI should treat humanity like a loving parent and that it is crucial to understand and mitigate potential side effects and consequences. 

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