Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be advancing faster than most people imagined—rapidly enough to disrupt millions of jobs and even surpass human intelligence before the decade ends. That was the striking message delivered by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, as he accepted this year’s Axel Springer Award in Berlin.
Altman didn’t mince words about the pace of technological progress. “In many ways, GPT-5 is already smarter than me—and I think a lot of other people too,” he said. While current AI systems still struggle with simple, everyday human tasks, their rate of improvement is “extremely steep.”
He projected that by 2030, AI models could reach a level where they make scientific discoveries and breakthroughs beyond human capability. “If we don’t have extraordinarily capable models by then, I’d be very surprised,” Altman stated. This prediction points toward the arrival of superintelligence—AI that outperforms humans across a wide range of intellectual fields.
⚠️ 40% of Jobs at Risk
However, with breathtaking progress comes serious disruption. Altman estimated that 30 to 40 percent of tasks in today’s global economy could be automated by AI, potentially transforming industries at an unprecedented scale.
“Entire professions may not vanish overnight,” Altman explained, “but the shift could lead to large-scale layoffs and a major restructuring of the job market.” He emphasized that new kinds of work will appear while others disappear, and that society must focus on adaptability and what he calls “the meta-skill of learning how to learn.”
Economists have echoed similar warnings. Routine office jobs, customer support roles, content writing, and data processing are particularly vulnerable. Meanwhile, new opportunities are expected to emerge in AI oversight, ethics, creative industries, and human-AI collaboration.
🤖 Aligning AI with Human Values
Despite mounting concerns, Altman struck a more optimistic tone than many critics. He rejected dystopian comparisons suggesting that humans could become irrelevant “like ants” in a future dominated by superintelligent AI.
“AI is not inherently intentional—it’s a tool,” he said. “The real challenge is aligning it with human values. Even if it has no internal motives, asking it to do something has consequences we don’t fully understand. That’s why alignment is critical.”
OpenAI has invested heavily in AI safety research, and Altman has repeatedly called for international cooperation and regulatory frameworks to ensure the responsible development of advanced AI systems.
🖥️ The Third Great Shift in Computing
Altman also hinted at OpenAI’s ambitions in hardware. After recruiting a former Apple designer, the company is exploring a “small family of devices” that could redefine how people interact with computers.
According to Altman, AI represents the third major shift in computing history, following the keyboard-and-mouse era and the touchscreen revolution. This could lead to entirely new kinds of interfaces, blending AI seamlessly into daily life—from smart glasses to intelligent home systems.
👨👦 Parenting and Politics in an AI-Driven Future
On a personal note, Altman reflected on raising children in a world transformed by AI. The key skills he hopes to pass on to his son are adaptability, creativity, and resilience—qualities that will remain valuable even in an unpredictable technological landscape.
He also predicted that political leaders will increasingly rely on AI for decision-making, from policy analysis to crisis forecasting. However, he believes that humans will remain in charge of final decisions—at least for now.
🌐 The Road Ahead
As 2030 approaches, AI’s trajectory points toward a future of both massive opportunity and significant upheaval. With superintelligent systems on the horizon and nearly 40% of jobs at risk, the choices made by governments, companies, and individuals in the coming years will shape the fabric of society for generations.