Sam Altman Claims AI Will Not Reduce Human Workload
The vision of a future where technology liberates humans from heavy workloads does not seem to be part of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s plans. In a recent discussion, Altman asserted that the presence of high-level artificial intelligence or superintelligence will not result in workers having more leisure time.
Speaking in an interview with Ti Morse on the Relentless podcast, Altman highlighted the failure of past technological promises that predicted a society working less. He noted that although efficiency has increased, the concept of a mass four-day work week has never truly materialised.
Altman argued that humans will naturally never be satisfied with a lighter workload. According to him, the human drive to continuously create and compete—which he likened to an individual game of comparing oneself to others—will keep levels of busyness high.
“I think we will all be far busier than we imagine in a post-superintelligence world,” Altman stated. He added that although people might complain about the busyness, they will subconsciously feel happy because increased human capacity will trigger the desire to accomplish more.
Altman’s vision contrasts with the views of several other industry leaders. By comparison, in October 2025, Ari Emanuel, former CEO of the entertainment conglomerate Endeavour, predicted that the average work week could drop to just three days thanks to the surge in productivity driven by AI.
On the other hand, Rick Veldran, CEO of GoTo, provided a more technical warning. In an interview with Newsweek last May, he emphasised that an increase in the speed of work does not always equate to an increase in quality.
Altman’s statements triggered strong reactions on social media platforms such as Reddit. On the r/technology forum, one comment that received over 10,000 upvotes mocked Altman’s view, writing, “Being busy and working are two different things. Is this his first day on Earth?”
Beyond the issue of workload, the massive development of AI also brings real impacts on the environment that are increasingly concerning to workers and activists.
This debate demonstrates that the transition towards a world dominated by AI is not merely a technical issue, but also a social and ecological one. While Altman believes that working more is a positive for human existence, the reality on the ground shows deep concerns regarding skill degradation and the environmental cost that must be paid.