OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reignited debate over the future of work after suggesting that many roles threatened by artificial intelligence may not qualify as “real work” when viewed through a broader historical perspective.
Speaking at OpenAI’s DevDay conference, Altman urged audiences to reconsider how society defines meaningful labor, emphasizing that definitions evolve across generations.
Altman: today’s jobs could look ‘trivial’ in the future
As reported by the Financial Express, Altman drew parallels between pre-industrial life and the modern workplace. From the viewpoint of a subsistence farmer focused on daily survival, many modern white-collar roles might appear abstract or trivial. Altman said that future generations could view today’s knowledge-based jobs in the same way.
Altman argued that anxiety over AI-driven job displacement stems from the assumption that today’s job structures are permanent. In reality, what appears essential today may later be seen as transitional. “I’m so willing to bet on human drives being what they are,” he said.
He added that human creativity and ambition consistently generate new forms of meaningful work, just as past generations could not have predicted the rise of the digital economy.
Analysts warn status quo bias is slowing AI adoption
While Altman expressed confidence in society’s ability to adapt, analysts caution that organizations may not transition as smoothly. Many organizations remain constrained by “status quo bias,” the tendency to favor existing systems over uncertain alternatives.
First defined in 1988 by researchers William Samuelson and Richard Zeckhauser, the bias describes resistance to alternatives—even when change could produce better outcomes.
Insights from the Wharton School of Business show that status quo bias can hinder innovation, delay digital transformation, and slow AI adoption.
“Change naturally invites risk, and people may be uncomfortable putting themselves in situations where the outcome is uncertain,” Wharton noted in an article. The school urged leaders to challenge their hesitation and ask: “Are you hesitant? If so, why?”
Survey: workers continue to resist AI adoption
A recent survey by IT services provider Kyndryl highlights the depth of this resistance. Despite the rapid deployment of AI across industries, 71% of business leaders reported that their workforces are not fully prepared to use AI tools. More than half cited shortages of skilled talent, while CEOs and technology executives disagreed on the best path forward.
The survey revealed a significant divide: 80% of tech leaders prefer upskilling existing employees, while more than 40% of CEOs favor hiring external talent. Additionally, 45% of CEOs reported that employees are still actively resisting the use of AI tools.
Kyndryl concluded that these misalignments expose “critical fault lines” in AI transformation—issues rooted more in organizational culture and workforce readiness than in technology itself.
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Lenihan, R. (2025, November 4). Analysts warn of status quo bias with AI in the workplace. The Street. Retrieved from https://www.thestreet.com/technology/analysts-warn-of-status-quo-bias-with-ai-in-the-workplace
Briones, J. A. (2025, November 7). OpenAI CEO dismisses AI job fear, redefines ‘real work.’ Outsource Accelerator. Retrieved from https://news.outsourceaccelerator.com/ceo-dismisses-ai-job-fear/
