Sam Altman: College Isn't Working for Most, Will Change in 18 Years

The Future of Education and Work in the Age of AI

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has made it clear that artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize education and the workforce. In a recent interview, he emphasized that college may not be the best path for everyone, especially as the next generation grows up in a world where AI is an integral part of daily life. He believes that by 2040, education will look completely different, with students who have never known a world without AI. While he acknowledges that education and human jobs won’t disappear, he predicts they will evolve significantly.

Altman’s views on higher education are shaped by his own experience. He dropped out of Stanford University in 2005 and has since advised young people to consider alternative paths beyond traditional college. He doesn’t see his own children attending college, arguing that the current system isn’t working well for most people. Instead, he encourages students to focus on meaningful projects and connect with ambitious peers.

In a 2013 blog post, Altman wrote about how many people perceive risk incorrectly. He pointed out that staying in college can seem safe, but spending four years doing nothing productive is actually risky. This philosophy has remained consistent over the years, and he continues to challenge the idea that a college degree is the only way to success.

During an interview on the This Past Weekend podcast, Altman expanded on his thoughts, stating that future generations will grow up with AI as a constant presence. He noted that these children will never be smarter than AI and will never know a world where technology isn’t more advanced than them. This shift, he argues, will fundamentally change the way education is approached.

While Altman expresses concerns about the impact of technology on young people—especially the addictive nature of short-form video—he also highlights the challenges adults face in adapting to new tools. He believes that younger generations will naturally become fluent with new technologies, while older individuals may struggle to keep up.

Despite these concerns, Altman is not pessimistic about the future of work. He points out that while some jobs may be eliminated by AI, many more will evolve rather than disappear. He compares this situation to the introduction of Google when he was in junior high, which initially raised fears about the future of education. However, he sees AI as just another tool that enhances human capabilities, much like calculators or other technological innovations.

Altman also acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding how education and jobs will change in the coming decades. He notes that his own role as CEO of OpenAI would have been unimaginable just a few years ago, and he even speculates that an AI CEO could be on the horizon. This means his job—and many others—will need to adapt continuously.

He remains optimistic about the future, citing the social nature of humans and their ability to create, innovate, and seek purpose. Just as people from the Industrial Revolution might have viewed modern life as effortless, future generations may look back at our time with similar nostalgia. Altman believes that this ongoing progress will lead to better lives for everyone.

“I think that’s beautiful,” he said. “I think it’s great that those people in the past think we have it so easy. I think it’s great that we think those people in the future have it so easy. That is the beautiful story of us all contributing to human progress and everybody’s lives getting better and better.”