OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Predicts AI Agents Will Discover New Knowledge and Act as Junior Employees Next Year

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the evolving role of AI agents during the Snowflake Summit 2025, sharing his vision that these technologies could soon act much like junior-level employees and even help uncover new knowledge. Speaking with Snowflake Computing CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy, Altman highlighted how AI agents are currently being used in various tasks, from writing code and fixing bugs to making dinner reservations. He noted that many professionals are now finding themselves managing these agents, assigning them tasks, assessing their quality, and providing feedback—a process similar to supervising human junior employees. Altman is particularly optimistic about the potential for AI to contribute to scientific and business advancements. He believes that within the next year, AI agents will begin to solve complex business problems and discover new knowledge, areas where human intelligence has traditionally held the upper hand. This vision builds on the capabilities of OpenAI's latest models, including GPT-4.5, which Altman described as "the first model that feels like talking to a thoughtful person" due to its enhanced conversational abilities and depth of understanding. In a broader context, this shift in AI capabilities is aligning with significant changes in the workforce. Economists like Zanele Munyikwa from Revelio Labs have observed a decline in the number of jobs that can be performed by AI. Her analysis of online job postings revealed a 19% decrease in the share of AI-doable tasks over the past three years. For roles more susceptible to automation, such as database administrators and IT specialists, the hiring downturn has been even steeper, reaching 31%. Companies are also adapting to this new landscape. Shopify recently implemented a policy requiring managers to justify why a job cannot be done by AI before approving new hires. Similarly, Duolingo announced plans to replace contract workers with AI-powered systems. These moves underscore the growing integration of AI into various industries and the shifting dynamics of the labor market. OpenAI itself is pushing the boundaries with the launch of GPT-4.5 and Codex. GPT-4.5, although initially available only to Pro subscribers, is considered a pivotal advancement in AI technology. Its capabilities include nuanced conversations that mimic human thought processes, making it a valuable tool for a wide range of applications. Codex, on the other hand, is designed to assist developers by automating coding tasks, which has already been adopted by OpenAI's engineering team. Unlike traditional chatbots, Codex can interact with external software, enhancing its versatility and practicality. The integration of AI into daily work tasks is not just a matter of efficiency but also of augmenting human capabilities. Altman envisions a future where AI agents can handle routine and complex tasks, allowing human employees to focus on higher-level strategic work. This could lead to a redefinition of job roles and workplace structures, potentially increasing productivity and innovation. However, the transition is not without challenges. The shortage of graphics processing units (GPUs), essential for running advanced AI models, remains a bottleneck. OpenAI's decision to limit the rollout of GPT-4.5 is partly driven by the current hardware constraints. Despite this, the momentum behind AI development continues to accelerate, driven by both technological advancements and the growing demand for more efficient and capable tools. Industry insiders and experts are largely bullish on the future of AI in the workplace. Many see the potential for AI to transform job roles, enhance productivity, and drive innovation. However, there is also a cautious awareness of the need for ethical considerations and the potential impact on employment. As companies increasingly adopt AI, the challenge will be to balance these benefits with ensuring the job security and fair treatment of human employees. OpenAI, founded in 2015 by tech luminaries including Elon Musk and Sam Altman, is a leading research laboratory and artificial intelligence company. It aims to ensure that advanced AI is used to benefit humanity and is known for developing cutting-edge models like GPT-4.5 and Codex. The company’s contributions to the field are pivotal, influencing both technological progress and ethical standards in AI development.