In a recent podcast appearance, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman presented a strikingly optimistic vision for Generation Z, asserting that if he was graduating college at this exact moment, “I would feel like the luckiest kid in all of history.” He made this bold claim even as he acknowledged the potential for significant job displacement due to artificial intelligence, hinting at a future where “some classes of jobs will totally go away.”
Altman’s optimism stems from the unparalleled access to powerful tools that AI, particularly models like the newly launched GPT-5, provides. He envisions a world where an individual can launch a company that achieves billion-dollar valuations and delivers amazing products, a feat that once required “teams of hundreds.” He said this capability is underpinned by the remarkable advancements in the recently released GPT-5.
He said he believes society has proven “quite resilient” to such shifts throughout history. The rapid evolution of technology, however, means predicting the future even 10 years out is “very hard to imagine at this point” and even AI leaders like himself have no idea where the technology could go from here.
Altman stressed that navigating this future will require a great degree of humility and openness to new solutions. He speculated that fundamental changes to the social contract may be necessary. His primary tactical advice for anyone preparing for this future is simple: “Just using the tools really helps.” He urged people to integrate AI tools into their lives, moving beyond basic searches.
OpenAI declined to comment.
For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
