OpenAI’s Sam Altman Claims AI Will Soon Replace Entry-Level Jobs — Gen Z Is Already Adapting, but Not in the Way You Think

The future of work may look a lot different than we once imagined. In a conversation that has sparked significant interest across industries, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declared that artificial intelligence has reached a point where it can already do the work of entry-level employees. More than just a passing trend, this technology is increasingly viewed as a tool that could disrupt traditional career paths — and Gen Z seems unfazed by the shift.

AI as the New Intern

According to Altman, the evolution of AI is moving rapidly toward more sophisticated, autonomous systems. He explained that current AI agents can perform tasks that have traditionally been done by junior employees. These systems are still in their infancy, operating only for a few hours at a time.

But Altman predicts that within months, these AI agents will be able to handle more complex tasks like an experienced software engineer, potentially working for days without interruption. The leap forward will allow AI to solve intricate business problems and uncover new knowledge, gradually becoming a vital component of the modern workforce.

“We’re moving toward a future where agents can help us discover new insights or solve non-trivial business challenges,” Altman said, speaking during a panel with Sridhar Ramaswamy, CEO of Snowflake. He went on to express his belief that in the near future, we will see AI working on long-duration projects, something that today would be unimaginable for a machine of this nature.

Gen Z: Welcoming AI into Their Daily Lives

While Altman paints an optimistic picture for the future of AI in business, Gen Z is already leaning into the technology. A recent survey from Resume.org found that 51% of Gen Z respondents view generative AI as a coworker or even a friend. This was in stark contrast to just over 40% of Millennials and 35% of Gen Xers or Baby Boomers, suggesting that younger people are more open to embracing AI as a part of their lives.

This cohort isn’t just using AI for basic tasks like research or drafting documents. According to Altman, younger generations are integrating AI into deeper, more personal aspects of their lives. “Older people use ChatGPT like a replacement for Google, and people in their twenties and thirties turn to it as a life advisor,” Altman explained. “But college students are already using it as an operating system, asking it for advice on making life decisions.”

This unique relationship with technology has set Gen Z apart from their predecessors, making them the pioneers of AI adoption in the workplace and beyond.

A Changing Landscape for Workers

While some are excited about AI’s potential, others are sounding the alarm. Dario Amodei, CEO of the AI company Anthropic, cautioned that AI could lead to the displacement of a significant portion of the workforce. He predicted that within five years, AI could eliminate up to half of all entry-level white-collar jobs. Unemployment, he warned, could rise substantially, potentially reaching 10% to 20%. This level of disruption could upend current job markets, changing the way we think about professional careers.

Adding to the concern, Anthropic’s generative model, Claude, is already capable of coding autonomously for extended periods — reportedly for nearly seven hours without human assistance. These developments, according to Amodei, signal the beginning of a seismic shift in the workforce, especially in industries that rely heavily on desk jobs.

Despite these warnings, the broader tech industry continues to lean into the potential of AI. Leaders like Nvidia’s Jensen Huang have emphasized the need to adapt or risk being left behind. At the Milken Institute’s Global Conference, Huang remarked, “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 sentiment underscores the growing importance of embracing these tools, rather than fighting them.

While some might see the rise of AI as a threat, Gen Z is already shaping a future where these tools are integrated seamlessly into daily life and work. Whether they will truly be a friend or foe to the workforce remains to be seen, but for now, they’re here to stay.