“Shame on me if OpenAI is not the first big company run by an AI CEO": Sam Altman

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has already thought about the scenario where artificial intelligence could take over his own job.

Sam Altman talks about possibility of AI taking his job

In a candid conversation on the Conversations with Tyler podcast, Altman said that he is not only open to the idea but would actually feel proud if it happened.

“Shame on me if OpenAI is not the first big company run by an AI CEO,” he said.

Altman admitted that he has imagined what it would take for a machine to outperform him at running OpenAI, suggesting that such a milestone could be achieved sooner than many expect.

He further added that AI might be capable of managing a major department within the company in “single-digit years.”

“People have a great deal higher trust in other people over AI, even if they shouldn't, even if that's irrational. You know, the AI doctor is better, but you want the human whatever. So, I think it may take much longer for society to get really comfortable with this and for people in an organization to get really comfortable with this,” he added.

Globally, companies are already reorganising around AI. IBM has automated parts of its HR department and redirected workers to sales and software roles.

Amazon and Microsoft have conducted large-scale layoffs to prepare their operations for an AI-first future.

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said that AI will speed up work rather than entirely replace employees.

However, computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton warns that AI’s rapid rise could widen the gap between tech billionaires and workers.

Elon Musk has already envisioned a future where traditional jobs may disappear entirely and work becomes optional.

Earlier as well, Altman has expressed his comfort with the idea of automation replacing his role. In a past conversation with Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner, the OpenAI boss had said, “It doesn’t scare me or make me sad. I built something that could automate my job — that’s what I wanted to achieve.”

As for what life after OpenAI might look like, the CEO said he would retreat to his farm, where he already spends part of his time. “I really love it there. It’s a wonderful change of pace — you’re not just enjoying the farm, you’re actually working and doing things in nature,” he said.

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