During a recent episode of the People by WTF podcast with Nikhil Kamath, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman painted an optimistic and inspiring picture of the future shaped by artificial intelligence. His central message was clear and powerful: there has never been a better time for young, ambitious people, especially in countries like India, to seize opportunity.
“A 25-year-old in Bengaluru or Mumbai today has more opportunities than any previous generation,” Altman confidently stated.
A New Age of Possibility
Altman compared the AI revolution to the personal computer boom of the 1990s, but on a much larger scale. Just as the PC empowered individuals to accomplish tasks that once required entire companies, AI is now multiplying that power exponentially.
“Individuals are now only constrained by the originality and quality of their ideas,” he explained.
With advanced tools like GPT-5, Altman says innovation barriers are lower than ever. Even a solo founder can launch impactful products, analyze huge amounts of data, create content, and build companies with global scale.
GPT-5
Altman described GPT-5 as a major leap, not just helping with code but supporting planning, research, continuous learning, customer service, and content creation. It acts not just as an assistant, but almost as a super-intelligent partner. He highlighted that this next-gen AI unlocks incredible possibilities — faster product building, faster learning, and global competition for founders working solo or in small teams. Kamath echoed that the pace of change is only getting faster, with AI transforming every sector from finance to creative industries.
OpenAI’s Growing and Future Largest Market
India is now OpenAI’s second-largest market and may soon become the largest. Altman emphasized how valuable Indian feedback is, helping OpenAI strengthen language support and make smarter, more affordable tools. They discussed how Indian entrepreneurs have already started using AI for building companies, solving problems, and reaching new customers, with many skipping over older business models and moving directly to AI-first approaches. “The entrepreneurial energy in India is unmatched,” Altman said.
Learning, Adaptability, and Human Value
Altman’s advice was practical and forward-looking: young people should focus less on traditional degrees and more on how quickly they can learn new things, especially how to use AI tools. Kamath added that resilience and the drive to adapt are more important now than ever, as jobs and markets change daily. Altman emphasized that the biggest opportunities will go to those who are flexible and always looking to solve real problems for people.
They discussed that AI as a feature isn’t enough for a defensible business—lasting companies build strong customer relationships and add unique value beyond just using base models. Altman also pointed out that human traits like creativity, originality, and the ability to offer correct yet contrarian ideas will be even more prized as AI gets better.
The Human Factor: Family and Community
Both Altman and Kamath agreed that with digital transformation, community and family bonds will only get more important. In an AI-rich world, human connection, authenticity, and shared values will be even more central, not less.
Robotics and Hardware
They talked about how the US leads in AI, while China is ahead in robotics. Altman shared that hardware innovation is on the horizon, with new devices like humanoid robots and wearable, context-aware AI companions set to become commonplace.
India’s Big Opportunity
Altman’s hope is that India moves from being a major tech consumer to becoming a global producer. Kamath echoed this, saying Indian founders and developers are already leapfrogging to become global competitors. Their enthusiasm and openness to AI could help India lead the next wave of world-changing companies and ideas.
Check out the podast:
Final Thoughts
AI is more than just fancy tech—it’s a shift in mindset and possibility. Whether building startups, learning new skills, or creating art, those who embrace AI will shape the future.
The world is evolving fast. Those harnessing AI now will not only survive, but thrive.
