OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, has called for a sweeping “New Deal”-style framework to prepare societies for the disruptive impact of artificial superintelligence, warning that governments must act early to manage the economic and social consequences of rapidly advancing AI systems.
In a recent policy proposal, the OpenAI chief outlined a vision for restructuring key aspects of modern economies, arguing that superintelligent AI could transform industries, labour markets, and wealth distribution on a scale comparable to the Industrial Revolution.
Altman emphasised that while AI has the potential to unlock unprecedented productivity and prosperity, it also poses serious risks, including large-scale job displacement, widening inequality, and new forms of cyber and security threats if left unchecked.
Central to the proposal is the idea of a new social contract designed for the AI era. Suggested measures include the creation of public wealth funds funded by AI-generated economic gains, taxation models targeting automated labour, and expanded social safety nets to support workers affected by automation. The framework also explores structural shifts such as shorter workweeks enabled by increased productivity and stronger public oversight of advanced AI systems.
Altman described the initiative as an early blueprint intended to spark global discussion rather than a definitive policy prescription, stressing the importance of democratic participation in shaping how AI technologies are governed.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from policy experts and industry observers. Some argue that the recommendations could serve the strategic interests of leading AI firms, raising concerns about the concentration of power and influence in the hands of a few dominant players. Others have questioned the practicality of measures such as robot taxes and public wealth funds, warning they could prove difficult to implement or politically contentious.
The debate comes amid intensifying global competition in AI development and growing concern about the pace of advances in advanced systems. Analysts warn that systems capable of surpassing human intelligence across a wide range of tasks could emerge within the foreseeable future, increasing both economic disruption and regulatory urgency.
Altman’s call highlights a broader shift within the technology sector, where industry leaders are increasingly engaging in policy debates over how to manage the far-reaching implications of artificial intelligence.
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