Sam Altman, speaking at the Sequoia Capital AI Ascent, discussed current AI trends and future directions. The core message revolves around AI’s transformative potential, varying adoption patterns, and the dynamics of innovation.
Key Highlights:
1. Generational AI Usage: Younger users treat AI (like ChatGPT) as an “operating system,” deeply integrating it into their lives and decision-making, leveraging its memory for context. This contrasts with older users (Google replacement) and those in their 20s-30s (life advisor).
2. AI and Coding: Coding is central to OpenAI’s future, not just an application. AI is already writing significant code at OpenAI. Altman envisions AI generating entire programs, enabling it to “actuate the world” through APIs. ChatGPT is aimed to be excellent at coding.
3. Future Value & Milestones:
- Next 12 months: Value from infrastructure, smarter models, societal integration.
- 2025: “Agents doing work,” coding dominant.
- ~2026: AI making/assisting in major scientific discoveries.
- 2027: AI moves to the physical world; robots become significant economic contributors.
4. Innovation Dynamics (Startups vs. Big Companies): Startups are outperforming large companies in AI innovation due to agility. Large firms are slow to adapt, stuck in old ways, and will likely struggle to catch up. This mirrors generational divides in tech adoption.
5. Founder Adversity: While challenges increase, emotional resilience grows with experience. The hardest part isn’t the crisis itself but the “fallout after”—the rebuilding phase. Altman emphasized the need for more focus on navigating this recovery period.
Conclusion: AI is rapidly evolving, impacting how different generations interact with technology and how businesses innovate. The future promises more integrated, agentic AI capable of real-world actions and scientific breakthroughs, but navigating this shift requires adaptability and resilience, especially for founders facing adversity.
Source: Sam Altman “The Future of Work” and the next 12 months…
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