Altman Hails Gen Z as AI's Luckiest Generation Amid Job Displacement Fears

In a recent appearance on the “Huge If True” podcast, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, expressed a bold and optimistic outlook for Generation Z, declaring that if he were graduating college today, he would feel “like the luckiest kid in all of history” [1]. This assertion came amid growing concerns over AI-driven job displacement, with Altman acknowledging that “some classes of jobs will totally go away” [1]. He emphasized, however, that young people are historically the most adaptable to such shifts and are more equipped than older generations to navigate the challenges AI brings.

Altman’s optimism is rooted in the transformative power of AI, particularly with the release of GPT-5, which he described as enabling individuals to launch highly successful ventures that once required large teams [1]. He envisions a future where a young person can create groundbreaking products and companies with minimal resources, a scenario he attributes to the democratization of innovation through AI tools. This, he argues, represents a unique opportunity for Gen Z to redefine the entrepreneurial landscape.

Despite his enthusiasm, Altman does not ignore the disruptive potential of AI on the job market. He acknowledged forecasts that “half of the entry-level white-collar workforce will be replaced by AI” within five years [1]. Yet, he believes this will lead to the creation of “completely new, exciting, super well-paid, super interesting jobs” [1]. For example, he speculated that a college student 10 years from now might be embarking on a mission to explore the solar system—a vision that reflects his broader belief in the transformative potential of AI across industries.

Altman also addressed the broader societal shifts that accompany technological change. He highlighted that society has historically proven itself “quite resilient” to such transformations, even as predicting the future remains challenging due to the speed at which AI is evolving [1]. This resilience, he argued, is especially evident among younger generations who are more open to adapting and relearning in response to new realities.

In the context of the changing labor market, Altman’s comments come at a time when traditional indicators of employability, such as college degrees, are becoming less predictive of success. Goldman Sachs chief economist Jan Hatzius has noted a decline in the “safety premium” of a college degree, with data showing that the labor market for recent graduates has weakened despite overall market health [1]. Additionally, employment consulting firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas reported a surge in layoffs in July 2025, with nearly half attributed to AI and technological updates [1]. These trends underline the urgency of the skills and adaptability Altman is advocating for.

Beyond the labor market, Altman raised concerns about the societal implications of AI-generated content and the challenges of discerning what is real in an increasingly synthetic media landscape. He argued that society has historically accepted a gradual shift away from purely unaltered media, and that the definition of “real” will continue to evolve [1]. To address this, he emphasized the need for humility and openness to new solutions, while urging people to actively use AI tools in their daily lives to stay ahead of the curve.

Altman’s vision is not without caution, however. He has previously raised alarms about the ethical and security risks of AI, including voice-mimicking software that could facilitate fraud [1]. His warnings reflect a broader debate among technologists and policymakers about how to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks. As Altman sees it, the key to navigating this future lies in proactive engagement with the tools and a willingness to embrace the unknown.

Source: [1] Sam Altman says Gen Z are the ‘luckiest’ kids in history thanks to AI, despite mounting job displacement dread (https://fortune.com/2025/08/10/sam-altman-gen-z-luckiest-generation-artificial-intelligence-jobs/)