Slow down the pace of AI? OpenAI leader changed his mind

"We may have to slow down the pace of development of artificial intelligence to give us enough time as a society to adapt to some of these new levels of capability," Altman said, noting that he doesn't yet know exactly how that slowdown could be achieved.

The position is a little different from that defended by Altman a few months ago, especially during his participation in BlackRock's US Infrastructure Summit conference, held in March this year.

At the time, Altman spoke about the fact that artificial intelligence is not a very popular technology in the United States and stated that it is being blamed for practically all the problems — including the layoffs that have occurred in recent months at technology companies.

However, the OpenAI CEO considered it important to continue advancing the development of artificial intelligence, arguing that a slowdown could cause the United States to fall behind in terms of innovation.

"If we don't move as quickly as other countries in adopting artificial intelligence, I believe we will lose the advantage we have as an economic powerhouse that we are," Altman said during the conference. "And it depends on how quickly companies adopt it. It depends on how quickly our scientists adopt it, how quickly our government adopts it."

OpenAI's CEO also stated that "this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to really improve the economy" and to "rewrite some of the rules of society that aren't working in the face of this incredible new source of wealth."

AI leading companies? Sam Altman changes his position againIn the same episode of the podcast, Altman once again showed that he changed his position on another issue related to artificial intelligence. The head of OpenAI had stated, in November, that he wanted the company to be the first to be led by artificial intelligence.

More than that, according to the website The Next Web, Altman even stated that it would be a shame if OpenAI wasn't the first company to have an artificial intelligence as CEO.

"It would be a shame for me if OpenAI wasn't the first major company to be led by an artificial intelligence CEO," Altman said during a conversation on the Conversations with Tyler podcast in November 2025.

Now, on the Invest Like the Best podcast, Altman acknowledged that, after all, no one wants to be led by artificial intelligence.

"I believe that, in my case, for example, the world wants to know who will be responsible for the company's decisions, who will be held responsible if the decisions are bad, and no one wants an AI as CEO", noted the leader of OpenAI.