Sam Altman Envisions Space Missions as the New Norm for 2035 College Grads Amid AI Revolution

By Perplexity News Staff | Published December 25, 2025

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has painted a bold picture of the future job market, predicting that college graduates in 2035 could launch directly into high-paying careers in space, fueled by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.

In a recent interview on Cleo Abram’s “Huge If True” podcast, Altman expressed envy for Generation Z entering the workforce today. “If I were 22 right now and graduating college, I would feel like the luckiest kid in all of history,” he said, highlighting the transformative potential of AI and space exploration.[3][4]

A New Era of ‘Super Well-Paid’ Space Jobs

Altman foresees a dramatic shift by 2035, where today’s students might skip traditional office roles for missions exploring the solar system. “In 2035, that graduating college student, if they still go to college at all, could very well be leaving on a mission to explore the solar system on a spaceship in some completely new, exciting, super well-paid, super interesting job,” he stated.[1][2][3][4]

This vision positions aerospace engineering at the forefront of future careers. Experts note that aerospace positions are already growing faster than average, with salaries topping $130,000 annually, even before space innovations fully mature. Demand will surge for skills in spacecraft design, propulsion, life support, AI navigation, and resource extraction as commercial space ventures expand into orbital manufacturing and lunar logistics.[2]

AI as the Catalyst for Space Innovation

Central to Altman’s optimism is AI’s role in democratizing complex technologies. He describes AI tools as “PhD-level teams in your pocket,” enabling rapid innovation and making ambitious space projects feasible for startups. This synergy could spawn billion-dollar space companies, creating opportunities for engineer-entrepreneurs.[1][2]

Altman acknowledges job displacement, particularly for older workers resistant to reskilling. “I’m more worried about what it means, not for the 22-year-old, but for the 62-year-old that doesn’t want to go retrain,” he noted. Yet, he believes younger generations’ adaptability will turn disruption into advantage, with future workers pitying past eras’ “boring, old work.”[3][4]

Echoes from Tech Leaders

Altman’s views align with other industry titans. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has praised AI for granting workers “superhuman” abilities, enhancing rather than replacing human potential. Earlier, Altman mused on shows like The Tonight Show about shorter workweeks, questioning, “What will jobs be like? Should we just work like two or three days a week?”[3]

Looking ahead, Altman even anticipates AI replacing executives like himself. “Shame on me if OpenAI is not the first big company run by an AI CEO,” he recently told the Conversations with Tyler podcast, underscoring his commitment to AI leadership.[4]

Key Predictions for 2035 Job Market by Sam Altman

Aspect	Prediction
Careers for Grads	Space missions exploring solar system
Salary Outlook	“Super well-paid” roles post-AI disruption
AI’s Role	PhD-level tools enabling startups
Challenges	Job loss for older workers; need for reskilling

Implications for Education and Workforce

As AI accelerates space commercialization, educational institutions may pivot toward interdisciplinary programs blending AI, aerospace, and robotics. Current trends show aerospace engineering eclipsing traditional fields, with roles in AI-guided navigation and in-situ resource utilization becoming standard.[2]

Critics caution that such optimism overlooks regulatory, ethical, and accessibility hurdles in space travel. Nevertheless, Altman’s forecast has sparked excitement, positioning Gen Z as pioneers in humanity’s next frontier.

“The coming decade could be the most exciting time in the history to start a career.”
— Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO[4]

Broadening the Space Economy

Beyond missions, Altman implies a booming space economy where graduates tackle orbital habitats, asteroid mining, and interplanetary logistics. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are already prototyping these technologies, with AI optimizing trajectories and autonomous operations.[1][2]

For now, students are advised to pursue STEM fields with space and AI emphases. Altman’s message: Embrace change, as the stars beckon with unprecedented opportunities.