Altman sparks backlash over AI replacing “not real work” jobs

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has sparked controversy with comments suggesting that many jobs artificial intelligence will replace may not constitute “real work” anyway. Speaking at OpenAI’s DevDay event, Altman drew comparisons between modern roles and traditional farming, arguing that a farmer from 50 years ago would likely dismiss today’s office jobs as unnecessary, reigniting debates about AI’s impact on employment and what constitutes valuable labor.

What he said: Altman used a hypothetical farmer’s perspective to illustrate his point about the nature of modern work.

• “The thing about that farmer… [is that] they very likely would look at what you do or I do and say, ‘that’s not real work,'” Altman explained during a live interview with Rowan Cheung, founder of an AI newsletter.
• “If you’re… farming… you’re doing something people really need. You’re making them food, you’re keeping them alive. This is real work. You people of the future, life just got too easy for you.”
• Despite acknowledging AI may take jobs, Altman remained optimistic, stating “I think we’ll find plenty of things to do.”

The backlash: Critics accused Altman of dismissing vulnerable workers and jobs most at risk from AI automation.

• Online commentators condemned the remarks as emblematic of a growing divide between AI creators and the workers most affected by automation.
• Many viewed his comments as insensitive to people whose livelihoods depend on roles that AI systems might eventually replace.

The broader context: Altman’s remarks touch on longstanding debates about the value of modern employment structures.

• His comments echo anthropologist David Graeber’s concept of “bullshit jobs”—roles that workers themselves often believe add little social value.
• However, subsequent studies have shown mixed support for this theory, suggesting feelings of workplace futility are often linked to poor management rather than the inherent value of the jobs themselves.

Why this matters: The controversy highlights fundamental tensions around AI development and its societal impact.

• Altman’s underlying point reflects a technical reality: AI is more likely to replace repetitive tasks rather than entire professions.
• The debate underscores the challenge of balancing technological advancement with sensitivity to workers facing potential displacement from automation.