The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, caused a stir at a developer event with a statement that will likely upset many. He suggested that jobs lost to AI are not “real work”.
The fear of job loss due to artificial intelligence taking over tasks is a real concern that people have. Programmers, writers, and even artists are already feeling the impact of AI on the job market.
Video creators could soon face competition from the new Sora AI. That AI will change the job market is probably indisputable. Now, the head of ChatGPT, Sora, and Dolly is commenting on the issue, and his statement offends many people.
The Farmer and the Internet
What does the boss say? Sam Altman was confronted with a thought during an interview at the company’s own DevDay conference. How would a farmer from 50 years ago view our current work environment? His response: “They [the farmer] would likely look at what you and I do and say: ‘That’s not real work’.”
Altman further adds that this perspective makes him “a little less worried”. He argues that someone who “farms” or produces food is doing something “people really need. That is real work.” In contrast, many modern jobs would be to the farmer just “a game to pass the time”.
This suggests that jobs that can be done by AI may not be important or valuable to society.
What is behind the statement? While the statement sounds cold-hearted and dystopian, economically speaking, it may not be entirely false. In 2024, there was a debate about so-called “bullshit jobs” (via Focus.de).
This refers to jobs that consist solely of ticking off checklists, writing reports that no one reads, or sitting in meetings that are completely unproductive and where only a few employees are truly needed.
These routine tasks ultimately contribute little to the product and value creation and can be partially replaced by artificial intelligence. Comparing jobs from 50 years ago to today, there are significant differences, and it will likely be the same according to Altman in 2075.
What jobs will even exist in 2075 and which will be created by artificial intelligence is something Altman cannot answer either. However, it is clear to him that artificial intelligence will eliminate some jobs.
The job market will change, and although Altman’s statement certainly seems cold and unmerciful, there is a true thought in it. Whether artificial intelligence will actually cause certain professions to become extinct, or whether only the tasks will change, remains open. An opponent of ChatGPT could now surprisingly be the Pope: Microsoft and the Pope are teaming up to distribute the benefits of AI more fairly and combat potential dangers.
What jobs will even exist in 2075 and which will be created by artificial intelligence is something Altman cannot answer either. However, it is clear to him that artificial intelligence will eliminate some jobs.
The job market will change, and although Altman’s statement certainly seems cold and unmerciful, there is a true thought in it. Whether artificial intelligence will actually cause certain professions to become extinct, or whether only the tasks will change, remains open. An opponent of ChatGPT could now surprisingly be the Pope: Microsoft and the Pope are teaming up to distribute the benefits of AI more fairly and combat potential dangers.
