New Delhi: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has once again sparked debate about the role of artificial intelligence in the future of work, and this time by saying he hopes an AI system will one day replace him as CEO. However, for Altman, the idea of AI taking over leadership roles isn’t about fear but about progress. He sees it as a natural outcome of creating intelligent systems meant to perform complex human tasks.
Artificial intelligence is getting smarter every year, and many people are worried it could soon take their jobs. AI is already being used in offices, factories and hospitals. Experts say advanced systems may start replacing high-level roles too, which is increasing fear about what the future workplace will look like.
Speaking on the Conversations with Tyler podcast, Altman said, “Shame on me if OpenAI is not the first big company run by an AI CEO.” He called the idea a thought experiment, reflecting on what it would take for an AI system to outperform him in managing OpenAI. “It’s a very interesting question, what would it take for an AI CEO to do a much, much better job of running OpenAI than me? That day will clearly come. The question is, how can we accelerate it?”
Altman explained that while such a scenario may still be far away, the progress of AI suggests it might not be impossible. He predicted that in the coming years, advanced AI systems could become capable of running entire departments within companies. These systems could make decisions, manage teams, and oversee projects with high efficiency. However, Altman also noted that human trust remains a major obstacle. Even if AI performs better, people may still prefer human leaders.
“People trust humans more than machines, even when that trust is irrational,” Altman said. “An AI doctor may outperform a human one, but most people still want a human in charge.”
This isn’t the first time Altman has expressed openness to being replaced by automation. In a previous discussion with Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner, he 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.”
When asked about his life after OpenAI, Altman said he would likely spend more time on his farm, something he already enjoys. “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.