Sam Altman admits AI economic impact is slower than expected

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged that the integration of artificial intelligence into the economy and software industries is occurring more slowly than he previously anticipated. In a recent interview on David Senra’s podcast, Altman admitted he was overly optimistic regarding the speed of this transition following the 2023 release of GPT-4.

Altman attributed this delay to economic inertia, noting that businesses and individuals tend to stick to established products, companies, and workflows. He observed that changing human behavior is more difficult than many technologists realize, as people are deeply ingrained in their current technological habits.

While the pace of adoption is slower, Altman suggested this could be a positive factor, allowing for a smoother and more gradual transition into the AI era. He also expressed concerns regarding the concentration of AI control, stating that the technology should not be limited to a small number of companies or individuals, but should instead empower the public and small businesses.