OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a key figure in artificial intelligence development, recently offered a fascinating and cautionary perspective on the future of human life shaped by AI. In
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a key figure in artificial intelligence development, recently offered a fascinating and cautionary perspective on the future of human life shaped by AI. In the inaugural episode of the OpenAI Podcast, Altman reflected on how AI will change the way future generations grow up, learn, and relate to the world around them.
Altman, who became a father in February 2025, shared that while his children may not be more intelligent than AI systems, they will be far more capable than previous generations—thanks to their seamless access to advanced AI tools.
Altman’s vision of the future suggests that AI will be deeply embedded in daily life. He believes the upcoming generation will be highly skilled in leveraging AI, becoming far more capable than those who came before.
“My kids will never be smarter than AI,” Altman said. “But they will grow up vastly more capable than we grew up, and able to do things that we cannot imagine.”
This prediction highlights a key paradox: children will achieve more, but only through tools they themselves cannot control or fully understand. The trade-off may be power without independence.
Altman didn’t shy away from addressing the downsides. He warned about an over-reliance on AI tools, which could reshape not only how people function but how they connect emotionally.
He noted the growing potential for parasocial relationships—one-sided emotional attachments to AI assistants or avatars—which could lead to psychological or social imbalances. “There will be problems,” Altman said. “Society will have to figure out new guardrails.”
Interestingly, Altman shared that he personally relied on ChatGPT in the early days of parenting. He described using it “constantly” to seek guidance on basic childcare tasks during the first week of his son’s life.
“Clearly, people have been able to take care of babies without ChatGPT for a long time. I don’t know how I would have done that.”
This admission illustrates how even those at the helm of AI development find themselves dependent on the very tools they create. It also signals how deeply integrated such technology has become in modern life—even in something as human as raising a child.
One of the most profound impacts Altman foresees is a shift in how relationships form and evolve. With AI becoming a companion, a coach, and an assistant, the way humans interact with each other may fundamentally change.
Children raised with constant access to AI may find comfort, validation, and guidance from tools rather than from peers or family members. This shift could weaken traditional social structures while building new, unfamiliar ones.
Despite these challenges, Altman remains largely optimistic about AI’s role in the future. He believes that with the right guardrails, AI can help humanity thrive, pushing the limits of what people can achieve.
But his message is clear: society must prepare for this future by developing ethical frameworks, education systems, and psychological support networks that match the pace of technological change.
Altman believes children won’t be smarter than AI but will grow up significantly more capable because of their ability to use AI tools effectively.
Altman warns of potential over-reliance on AI, including developing parasocial relationships and losing certain human skills or independence.
He admitted to using ChatGPT regularly during the first week of his child’s life to navigate basic parenting challenges, despite centuries of parenting without such tools.
These are one-sided emotional connections people may form with AI tools, treating them as friends or companions, which can alter human social dynamics.
Altman is generally optimistic but urges society to build proper guardrails and ethical structures to handle AI’s increasing influence responsibly.
