OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged that the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) may not be fairly distributed unless proactive measures are taken. In a new essay on his personal blog, Altman suggested unusual solutions such as a “compute budget” to ensure that AI is widely accessible. His concern is that while technology has historically improved metrics like health and economic growth, it has not necessarily reduced inequality.
Altman wrote, “The historical impact of technological progress suggests that most of the metrics we care about (health outcomes, economic prosperity, etc.) get better on average and over the long term, but increasing equality does not seem technologically determined and getting this right may require new ideas.” He further noted that AIโs impact on the balance of power between capital and labour could be significant, potentially necessitating early interventions to avoid disruptions.
The challenge of AI’s economic impact
Altmanโs proposed solutions may be easier to discuss than implement, particularly as AI is already reshaping the job market. The rise of AI-driven automation has led to job losses and department downsizing, raising concerns about widespread unemployment if governments do not implement policies to support workforce adaptation. Experts stress that reskilling and upskilling initiatives will be crucial to managing AI’s effects on employment.
This is not the first time Altman has predicted the arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI)โa system capable of solving complex problems at a human level across multiple fields. However, he cautioned that AGI will not be flawless, stating, “[AGI systems] will not have the biggest new ideas and will be great at some things but surprisingly bad at others.” He also emphasised that AGI will still require substantial human oversight.
Despite AGI’s limitations, Altman believes that AI’s true power will come from its ability to operate on a massive scale. Echoing sentiments from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, he envisions thousands or even millions of competent AI systems working across all areas of knowledge-based industries.
AI development costs and OpenAIโs future plans
Achieving this vision will come at a cost. Altman pointed out that AI performance improves predictably with increased investment, stating, “You can spend arbitrary amounts of money and get continuous and predictable gains.” OpenAI is reportedly in talks to raise US$40 billion in funding and has committed to spending as much as US$500 billion with partners on expanding its data infrastructure.
Altman also claimed that the cost of using AI at any given level drops tenfold every 12 months. While pushing AI technology forward remains expensive, end users are gaining access to increasingly powerful models at lower prices. Companies like Chinese AI startup DeepSeek support this trend by developing cost-effective AI solutions.
Looking ahead, OpenAI is considering significant decisions regarding AGI safety. Altman acknowledged that the company may implement “unpopular” limitations to ensure AI is used responsibly. OpenAI previously pledged to halt competition and assist any “value-aligned” and “safety-conscious” projects that were close to achieving AGI before it did. However, that commitment was made when OpenAI operated as a nonprofit. Since transitioning to a for-profit model, the company has set ambitious financial targets, reportedly aiming for US$100 billion in revenue by 2029โon par with industry giants like Target and Nestlรฉ.
Altman stated that OpenAI aims to “trend more towards individual empowerment” while preventing AI from being misused for authoritarian surveillance. He also acknowledged that OpenAI has historically hesitated to open-source its technology but suggested that greater transparency may be necessary in the future. “Many of us expect to need to give people more control over the technology than we have historically, including open-sourcing more,” he wrote.
Altmanโs essay was published before the AI Action Summit in Paris, where industry leaders are expected to discuss the future of AI regulation and development. Finally, he reassured that OpenAI has no intention of severing ties with Microsoft, despite speculation about contractual clauses related to AGI. “We fully expect to be partnered with Microsoft for the long term,” he wrote.
