OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, one of the key figures behind the AI revolution, has confessed to feeling overwhelmed by the power of his own creation. As GPT‑5 nears release, he questions where this fast-paced progress is taking us.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI and a central figure in the generative AI movement, has opened up about his growing discomfort with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. As development on GPT‑5 progresses, Altman admits the model is becoming so capable that it makes him feel “useless.”
In a recent statement, Altman expressed genuine concern about how quickly AI is advancing, calling it both exciting and frightening. He even questioned, “What have we done?”—a rare moment of vulnerability from someone leading the charge in this technological race.
Altman has long been a supporter of powerful AI models, but the latest internal versions of ChatGPT have reportedly reached levels of reasoning and speed that surprised even him. While these advancements are seen as major milestones in AI development, they also raise deeper questions about human relevance and control.
The tools being built are getting better at tasks traditionally done by experts—whether coding, writing, planning or even guiding other AI systems. For Altman, this shift highlights not only the success of OpenAI’s vision, but also the growing uncertainty about where human roles fit in as machines continue to improve.
His remarks have sparked wider discussions in the tech community about ethical boundaries, control mechanisms, and the speed of deployment. While Altman remains committed to building safe and beneficial AI, his moment of hesitation is a reminder that even those at the forefront are still figuring out what responsible progress looks like.
As GPT‑5 edges closer to release, the world watches not just what the model can do—but how those creating it handle the weight of its potential.
