OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman predicted that students graduating around 2035 could enter careers that take them into space — “some completely new, exciting, super well‑paid” roles that do not exist today — as artificial intelligence and commercial space activity reshape the labor market.

Altman’s forecast

Altman made the remarks in interviews this year while discussing how rapidly advancing AI could change the nature of work for younger generations. He said a 2035 college graduate might not take a conventional office job but instead could “very well be leaving on a mission to explore the solar system on a spaceship” in roles that are both highly paid and highly novel, according to coverage of his comments on the Huge If True podcast and other media reporting of his interviews with Cleo Abram and late‑night hosts[3][4].

Why Altman thinks this will happen

Altman links the possibility to two converging trends: powerful AI tools that serve as force multipliers for human expertise, and rapid growth in commercial space ventures. He has argued that AI will act like “PhD‑level teams in your pocket,” enabling much faster product development, problem solving and small‑team innovation — capabilities that could lower the technical and financial barriers to complex projects such as space missions[2][3].

Context: AI, space industry growth and jobs

Analysts and commentators reporting on Altman’s remarks point to expanding private sector space activity — from orbital manufacturing and satellite services to lunar logistics and asteroid prospecting — as potential sources of new job categories in the coming decade[2]. Industry observers say those roles could demand hybrid skills across aerospace engineering, robotics, life‑support systems and AI‑driven autonomy, and may command above‑average salaries as the market scales[2].

Will older workers be left behind?

Altman acknowledged the uneven effects of technological change, saying younger workers are better placed to adapt while older workers who do not retrain could face more disruption[3]. He and other tech leaders have emphasized the need for workforce reskilling as automation eliminates some existing roles even as it creates new ones[3][4].

Reactions and caveats

Media coverage of Altman’s comments has ranged from optimistic to cautionary. Outlets relaying the interview highlighted the aspirational element — a future in which science, entrepreneurship and AI unlock extraordinary career opportunities — while other commentators noted practical obstacles such as regulation, the pace of technological development, safety standards, and the capital intensity of space projects[1][2][4].

What to watch next

• Commercial space milestones: expanded orbital services, lunar missions, and in‑space manufacturing that could create demand for new professional specialties[2].
• AI capabilities: breakthroughs in autonomous systems, simulation, design and human–AI collaboration that lower development costs and timeframes for complex missions[2][3].
• Policy and training: government and industry efforts to reskill workers and to develop safety and regulatory frameworks for commercial space labor[3][4].

Bottom line

Sam Altman’s prediction frames the next decade as a potentially transformative period for early‑career workers: while some traditional jobs may disappear, new, high‑paying roles — possibly including work conducted in space — could emerge for those equipped with AI‑augmented skills and cross‑disciplinary expertise[3][4]. The realization of that vision will depend on technological progress, investment in space infrastructure and the effectiveness of workforce transition strategies[2][4].