Sam Altman warns AI will erase jobs—but sparks hope for new human solutions

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has issued a stark warning about the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, predicting that "whole classes of jobs" could disappear as AI technology advances. He emphasized the unprecedented power of ChatGPT, describing it as "already more powerful than any human who has ever lived." Altman envisions a future where robots might autonomously build other robots to perform physical tasks, signaling a profound shift in labor dynamics.

Contrasting Altman's caution, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang offered a more optimistic perspective at the VivaTech conference in Paris. Huang acknowledged that while AI will render some jobs obsolete, it will also create many new roles. He stated, "Whenever companies are more productive, they hire more people," suggesting that AI-driven productivity gains could lead to job growth rather than net losses.

Altman’s warning: "Whole classes of jobs going away"
Altman on ChatGPT: "Already more powerful than any human who has ever lived"
Huang’s view: "Some jobs will be obsolete, but many jobs are going to be created"
Huang on productivity and hiring: "Whenever companies are more productive, they hire more people"

This dialogue between two leading AI figures highlights the dual-edged nature of AI's impact on the workforce. While automation threatens to displace certain roles, it also promises to unlock new human solutions and job categories, underscoring the need for adaptive strategies in education and employment policies.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warns AI advancements could eliminate entire job categories, stating ChatGPT surpasses human capabilities. However, Nvidia's Jensen Huang counters that AI will transform jobs, creating new opportunities as productivity rises, sparking cautious optimism about the future workforce.