Altman warns AGI could end jobs and destabilize global economy
Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, has issued a stark warning about the long-term impact of artificial general intelligence, saying that once AGI is achieved, human work could largely disappear and the economic system could collapse. The statement, published on April 25 on X, came days after the release of the company’s latest model, GPT-5.5, and reflects growing concern over the pace of AI development.
Altman’s comment was framed with a degree of irony. In the same message, he joked about switching to polyphasic sleep because the new model’s capabilities were so advanced that missing hours of work was no longer an option. The remark underscores a contradiction shaping the AI sector. Tools designed to reduce human workload are, in practice, accelerating productivity demands for those building and deploying them.
The launch of GPT-5.5 on April 23 introduced improvements in handling complex, multi-step tasks. The system can plan actions, use external tools, and verify outputs with reduced human input. Greg Brockman described the model as a new form of intelligence and a step toward transforming how computational work is performed. The release reinforces the trajectory toward increasingly autonomous systems capable of replacing or augmenting human roles across industries.
Altman’s warning aligns with broader policy discussions within OpenAI. Earlier in April, the company published a 13-page policy framework outlining potential responses to large-scale AI disruption. Proposals included the creation of a public wealth fund, pilot programs for a four-day workweek without salary cuts, and a shift in taxation from labor to capital. The document also suggested treating access to AI as essential infrastructure, comparable to electricity or the internet, and floated the idea of a tax on automated systems.
These proposals have drawn criticism from some observers, who question whether they represent genuine policy direction or strategic positioning ahead of regulatory debates. Concerns focus on the gap between rapid technological deployment and the slower evolution of governance frameworks, as well as the potential concentration of economic power in AI-driven industries.
The debate is unfolding against a backdrop of rising public anxiety. In April, a security incident targeted Altman’s residence in San Francisco, where an individual attempted an attack using incendiary devices before being stopped. Authorities described the incident as deliberate and serious, highlighting the intensity of public reactions surrounding AI developments.
Altman has acknowledged these concerns, stating that fears about artificial intelligence are justified given the scale of transformation underway. In earlier remarks in New Delhi, he said AGI now appears within reach and described the speed of progress as both stressful and destabilizing.
The convergence of rapid technological advancement, policy uncertainty, and social unease suggests that the transition toward more advanced AI systems will not only reshape labor markets but also test the resilience of existing economic structures.
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