Sam Altman Acknowledges AI Is a Bubble but Affirms Its Lasting Impact
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has openly acknowledged that the current surge in artificial intelligence (AI) is indeed a bubble, yet emphasized that this does not diminish the fundamental importance and long-term potential of AI technology.
Speaking to a select group of reporters during a dinner on Thursday, Altman likened the AI landscape today to previous technology bubbles such as the dot-com boom and bust. “If you look at most of the bubbles in history, like the tech bubble, there was a real thing,” he said. “Tech was really important. The internet was a really big deal. People got overexcited.”[1]
He further elaborated that the current investor enthusiasm has arguably gotten ahead of itself: “Are we in a phase where investors as a whole are overexcited about AI? My opinion is yes. Is AI the most important thing to happen in a very long time? My opinion is also yes.”
Altman’s comments underscore a dual reality where AI is both massively hyped and hyper-invested in, yet rooted in transformative technologies that will persist beyond any market corrections or failures of startups trying to capitalize on the trend. Drawing parallels to the dot-com bubble, Altman noted that although many companies failed, the overall internet ecosystem emerged stronger, spawning trillion-dollar enterprises built on foundational innovations like e-commerce and search.
Highlighting OpenAI’s ambitious plans, Altman also revealed intentions to invest “trillions” more in data centers and AI infrastructure to secure a leadership role in the field even after any bubble burst.[1]
The wide-ranging discussion did not just focus on market dynamics but also Altman’s vision of AI’s place in the future economy and society, reinforcing his view that despite the speculative excesses, AI technology represents one of the most critical developments of the 21st century.
This candid admission from one of the industry’s leading figures adds a sobering perspective to the often overenthusiastic discourse surrounding AI, reminding investors and observers alike to temper expectations without losing sight of the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence.
Altman’s insights were reported by The Verge and other tech media outlets, highlighting his unique stance from the helm of OpenAI as it navigates both the technological challenges and financial realities of the AI boom.[2][3]