Students should master AI tools for future jobs

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasizes the importance of mastering AI tools for students entering the future job market. He believes that software engineers will use AI to enhance their productivity in the short term. However, he warns that this may lead to fewer software engineering jobs over time. In an interview, Altman compared the current situation to when he was in school, saying students should focus on becoming skilled with AI tools. He stated that while software engineers will initially do more work using AI, the number of these jobs could decrease in the future. Altman explained that the impact of AI on jobs will not happen overnight. Instead, it will gradually increase and become more significant. He suggested that AI is already handling a large portion of coding work, estimating that it may be over 50% in many companies. For students preparing for their careers, Altman advises them to be adaptable and to prioritize learning skills that will be relevant as the job market evolves. He believes that these general skills will be crucial as the world undergoes changes due to AI. Finally, Altman mentioned "agentic coding," a new type of coding that is not fully realized yet. He acknowledged that advancing this technology will take some time, pointing out that the barriers are related to AI models rather than product development.