Sam Altman says AI work cheaper than experts
Hyderabad : Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, said artificial intelligence is making intellectual work cheaper compared to human experts.
In an interview with Forbes, Altman said AI models in the “inference” stage can deliver outputs comparable to experts at lower cost. He noted that, on a per-task basis, AI systems are becoming more efficient and cost-effective.
AI costs less, efficiency improves steadily
Altman said human intelligence requires decades of biological training and continuous energy use, while AI systems are improving rapidly. Measured per unit of output, AI is becoming more efficient and is likely to improve further. Even task-wise, AI remains cheaper, he added.
Jobs will change, not disappear entirely
He said AI will not eliminate jobs but will change the nature of work. The impact will vary across sectors, with partial automation in some roles and complete transformation in others. New job categories may also emerge. He cited the rise of YouTubers and content creators as examples of new-age professions.
Altman said individuals must anticipate the skills required over the next decade to remain relevant in the job market.
Coding less critical, tools gain importance
He said coding, once considered essential, is no longer the primary skill. Instead, the ability to use AI tools effectively has become more important. He added that access to resources matters more than skill barriers, and countries must decide whether to build local AI infrastructure or depend on external providers.
Education system must adapt to AI era
Altman said the real challenge is not technological change but the ability of education systems to adapt. Without changes in teaching methods, students risk becoming overly dependent on AI tools.
He called for redesigning learning systems to focus on critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving, while recognising the availability of AI tools.
India emerges as key AI market
He said India is one of the most dynamic markets for AI adoption, with investments across infrastructure and applications. OpenAI’s coding products are growing rapidly in India and may soon become the largest market.
He noted that AI services are more expensive to deliver than traditional internet services, and companies must ensure financial sustainability by tapping markets like India.
Privacy, security remain major concerns
Altman said safety and privacy are key challenges in adopting AI-based personal agents. Current systems are not fully reliable when handling sensitive personal data.
He cautioned users against sharing personal information with AI agents until more secure systems are developed. Once stronger safeguards are in place, adoption is expected to increase rapidly.
