Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and the visionary behind ChatGPT, believes that superintelligence could be just a few thousand days from becoming a reality.
In a recent blog post titled The Intelligence Age, Altman shared his optimism about the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, predicting that AI systems far surpassing human intelligence could emerge within the next few decades.
"It is possible that we will have superintelligence in a few thousand days! It may take longer, but I'm confident we'll get there," Altman wrote. He envisions a future where AI drastically improves everyday life, creating new possibilities that once seemed like "magic" to previous generations.
Altman emphasized the transformative impact of technology throughout history, from the Stone Age to the Agricultural and Industrial Ages, and now, the transition to the "Intelligence Age" driven by computation and human will. He sees AI as the next step in this evolution, accelerating human capabilities beyond what was once thought possible.
Addressing the common concern of AI replacing human jobs, Altman offered a historical perspective. He argued that many jobs of the past, like lamplighting, are no longer missed today, as society has moved on to more advanced and fulfilling roles. Similarly, the jobs of the future will bring prosperity that is unimaginable today, he suggested.
As the global AI revolution continues to reshape industries and daily life, Altman’s predictions signal that the era of superintelligence may be closer than many expect, bringing both challenges and unprecedented opportunities.