Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has made bold predictions about the future of artificial intelligence (AI), calling Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) an “inevitable reality.” In a recent blog post, Altman outlined three major shifts he believes will reshape the world in just a few years.
First, he predicts AI agents will emerge in 2025—tools that can mimic real human brain functions, write computer code, and assist with complex tasks. By 2026, systems will begin evaluating unique real-world situations. And by 2027, robots may start performing real-world jobs, including building other robots.
Second, Altman discussed the future of work. While AI will cause some job losses, he believes it will also open new doors. He predicts that technology will rapidly advance, making society more adaptable. “Some sectors will shrink, but global wealth will grow faster than ever imagined,” he said. Superintelligence could help solve scientific problems and even pave the way for human settlements in space.
His third prediction focuses on the accessibility of AGI. He said future AI systems will be cheap, widely available, and not limited to one person, company, or country. This democratization of AI, according to Altman, will empower users and create new opportunities globally.
Earlier in 2025, Altman also predicted the end of the smartphone era. In interviews, he hinted that OpenAI is working on hardware to replace smartphones—possibly powered by ChatGPT, offering a new way to interact with technology.
Altman’s vision is both exciting and unsettling. While the rise of AI brings many possibilities, it also raises deep questions about work, control, and human identity in the coming decade.