OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged that the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) may not be evenly distributed, despite its potential to transform industries and economies.
In a recent blog post, he proposed bold ideas—one of which is a “compute budget”—to help ensure that AI’s advantages reach everyone, not just the wealthy or powerful.
His statements come at a critical time, as AI continues to reshape the job market, fuel economic debates, and spark concerns about its long-term societal impact.
AI’s Unequal Impact
Altman admitted that while technological progress has historically improved key metrics like economic prosperity and health outcomes, it has not necessarily led to greater equality.
“The balance of power between capital and labor could easily get messed up,” Altman wrote, warning that AI could disrupt traditional economic structures and concentrate power in the hands of those with access to vast computing resources.
This concern is not hypothetical. Major industries—from media and customer service to software engineering—have already seen job cuts and downsizing due to AI automation.
Some experts even warn of mass unemployment if governments and companies fail to implement reskilling programs and regulatory policies to mitigate AI’s disruptive effects.
Introducing the ‘Compute Budget’
To prevent AI from benefiting only the wealthy or large corporations, Altman floated the idea of a “compute budget.”
This would ensure that everyone on Earth gets access to AI-powered tools by allocating computing resources more fairly.
Though details remain unclear, the idea suggests a system where individuals or businesses could receive a predefined quota of AI compute power, possibly subsidized or regulated.
Whether this is feasible remains a big question. As AI technology advances, training and operating powerful AI models require massive infrastructure—something only tech giants like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft can currently afford.
The Road to AGI: Expensive but Inevitable?
Altman once again reiterated that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—a system capable of thinking and reasoning at a human level—is on the horizon.
However, he emphasized that early AGI models will require substantial human oversight and will likely be excellent at some tasks but weak at others.
“The real value from AGI will come from running these systems on a massive scale,” Altman wrote.
He envisions millions of hyper-intelligent AI systems tackling complex problems across science, medicine, law, and other fields.
But achieving this level of AI advancement will not come cheap. OpenAI is reportedly in talks to raise up to $40 billion in new funding and plans to invest up to $500 billion with partners to build an enormous AI data network.
Despite the staggering costs, Altman claims that the cost of using a given level of AI drops tenfold every year, making access to cutting-edge AI more affordable over time.
This is already visible in the AI space. Emerging competitors, such as Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, are producing powerful, cost-effective AI models, suggesting that AI development costs are gradually decreasing.
OpenAI’s Strategic Shift and Microsoft Partnership
Altman also addressed concerns about OpenAI’s business strategy. Once a nonprofit, OpenAI is now transitioning into a for-profit company, aiming to reach $100 billion in revenue by 2029—comparable to major corporations like Target and Nestlé.
One of OpenAI’s most significant backers is Microsoft, which has invested billions into OpenAI while integrating its AI models into products like Azure and Copilot.
Despite speculation about OpenAI potentially breaking away from Microsoft, Altman dismissed such claims, stating that the partnership is expected to continue long-term.
Interestingly, reports suggest that Microsoft and OpenAI had a contractual definition of AGI, stating that once OpenAI’s AI systems generate $100 billion in profits, OpenAI could negotiate new terms. However, Altman clarified that there are no immediate plans to sever ties.
AI Regulation, Safety, and the Open-Source Debate
Altman acknowledged that as AI becomes more powerful and embedded in society, OpenAI will have to make difficult decisions regarding safety, transparency, and accessibility.
He warned that some of these decisions may be unpopular, especially when it comes to AGI safety measures.
A key point of contention is OpenAI’s stance on open-sourcing AI. In the past, OpenAI pledged to open-source its models, but it has increasingly shifted toward closed-source development, citing safety concerns.
However, Altman hinted that OpenAI may need to find a balance between security and individual empowerment, possibly open-sourcing more technology in the future.
AI’s Role in Society
Altman’s remarks come ahead of the AI Action Summit in Paris, where global leaders and tech executives will discuss AI’s future.
He painted a vision of a world where AI “seeps into all areas of the economy and society,” making everything smarter.
However, he also stressed the urgent need for safeguards, particularly against authoritarian regimes using AI for mass surveillance and control.
As AI becomes more ubiquitous, Altman believes that governments and companies must work together to prevent its misuse while ensuring it benefits everyone—not just the elite.
Final Thoughts
Sam Altman’s latest statements highlight a major concern in the AI industry: ensuring that AI’s immense potential benefits all of humanity—not just a privileged few.
His “compute budget” idea may be ambitious, but it reflects the growing need for innovative policies that make AI more equitable, affordable, and accessible.
With OpenAI’s massive investments and continued partnership with Microsoft, the race toward AGI is accelerating. But whether this technology will truly be fairly distributed remains to be seen.
