TED: OpenAI’s Sam Altman Talks ChatGPT, AI Agents and Superintelligence — Live at TED2025

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, discusses the rapid evolution of AI models, highlighting their integration of intelligence and creativity, such as image and video generation linked to GPT-4o's core capabilities.

Altman addresses concerns about AI replacing jobs, suggesting that like past technological revolutions, AI will enhance human capabilities and raise expectations, but users can adapt and thrive.

Creative ownership in AI is complex; OpenAI avoids generating art in the style of living artists without consent, exploring new economic models to fairly compensate creators as AI democratizes creativity.

OpenAI plans to release powerful open-source models, recognizing the importance of community input and balancing innovation with safety, despite competition and resource constraints.

ChatGPT's user base has grown explosively, reaching hundreds of millions weekly, with continuous improvements like enhanced memory features that personalize AI interactions over time.

Altman envisions AI as a lifelong companion that learns from ongoing interactions, helping users by proactively offering assistance and becoming an extension of themselves.

AI's potential in scientific discovery is immense, with early signs of increased productivity in research and hopes for breakthroughs in areas like room-temperature superconductors and disease treatment.

Safety is integral to AI development. OpenAI employs a preparedness framework to evaluate risks and iteratively improve systems, acknowledging the need for external safety testing as models grow more capable.

Defining AGI remains elusive; current models like ChatGPT are intelligent but lack continuous self-improvement and autonomous task execution, key traits for true general intelligence.

Agentic AI, capable of autonomously pursuing tasks online, presents new safety challenges. OpenAI emphasizes building trust and robust guardrails to prevent misuse and unintended consequences.

Altman reflects on the immense responsibility of shaping AI's future, emphasizing transparency, ethical stewardship, and the balance between innovation and caution amid societal concerns.

Looking ahead, Altman foresees a world transformed by AI, with unprecedented material abundance, rapid change, and enhanced human potential, urging society to embrace AI thoughtfully to maximize benefits and minimize risks.