Sam Altman Predicts AI Agents Will Discover New Knowledge Like Junior Employees

Sam Altman says that AI could soon help discover new knowledge and act like junior level workers. Image: Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes AI agents are evolving to function like junior employees and could soon "discover new knowledge" and solve complex business problems. Speaking at the Snowflake Summit 2025, Altman compared AI agents to junior workers, stating that managers are already delegating tasks to them, reviewing output, and providing feedback—mirroring human team dynamics.

Key Takeaways:

AI as Junior Employees: Altman noted that AI agents are being integrated into workflows similarly to junior staff, handling tasks and requiring oversight.
Future Potential: He predicted that within a year, AI could begin discovering new knowledge and solving non-trivial business challenges in limited cases.
Workforce Impact: A Revelio Labs study found a 19% decline in job postings for AI-doable tasks since ChatGPT's 2022 launch, with roles like IT specialists and database administrators seeing a 31% drop in hiring.

Companies Embracing AI Over Human Workers:

Shopify now requires managers to justify why a role can’t be handled by AI before hiring.
Duolingo has replaced some contract workers with AI tools.

OpenAI’s Latest Developments:

GPT-4.5: Released in February 2025, Altman called it OpenAI’s first "emotionally intelligent" model, though access is currently limited to Pro subscribers due to GPU shortages.
Codex: A new AI agent designed to assist developers by writing code, debugging, and running tests. Unlike chatbots, Codex can interact with external software, such as booking reservations.

For more details on AI’s impact on hiring, read this analysis.

This shift highlights both the transformative potential of AI and the growing displacement of human workers in certain sectors.