OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says AI is like an intern today, but it match coders

OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, recently likened artificial intelligence to an intern, suggesting that its capabilities will evolve significantly in the near future. Speaking at the Snowflake Summit, Altman expressed optimism that AI agents could assist humanity in uncovering new knowledge as early as next year. Altman remarked, "Today [AI] is like an intern that can work for a couple of hours, but at some point, it’ll be like an experienced software engineer that can work for a couple of days." He further predicted that we will begin to see AI agents that can tackle complex business problems and contribute to knowledge discovery in limited contexts. In a prior discussion at the Milken Institute’s Global Conference, Altman emphasized the transformative potential of AI in the workforce, stating, "You’re not going to lose your job to an AI, but you’re going to lose your job to someone who uses AI." This perspective comes amid concerns about job displacement due to advancing AI technologies. Contrasting Altman's views, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned that AI might eliminate nearly half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within five years as the technology matures. However, Google CEO Sundar Pichai offered a more positive outlook during a recent podcast appearance, referring to AI as an ‘accelerator’ that will enable humans to focus on more creative endeavors. Pichai also noted that Google plans to continue hiring software engineers in the near term, indicating a belief in the collaborative potential of AI rather than outright replacement. Both Altman and Pichai's comments reflect a broader conversation within the tech community regarding the future of work in an AI-driven landscape, as companies like OpenAI and Google launch tools aimed at enhancing software engineering capabilities.