Sam Altman on humanoid robots: They're coming and 'it's gonna feel very sci-fi'

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Sam Altman on humanoid robots: They're coming and 'it's gonna feel very sci-fi'

Altman is the CEO of OpenAI


Senior Writer
MAY 22, 2025 5:35 PM EDT

We're living through a significant moment in technology. Developments that have been the backbone of science fiction are currently in motion, with Artificial Intelligence becoming smarter and self-driving cars appearing in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and more. Another sci-fi plotline we might get to experience is the existence of humanoid robots. This is a tech breakthrough that the CEO of OpenAI believes the world isn't ready for.

Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI© Getty Images for The New York Ti
Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI

In an interview with Bloomberg, Altman said that while many people are worried about AI and its impact on the way we live and work, humanoid robots, also called androids, might make for a more surprising sight, dramatically shifting the way in which we view the world.

"I don't think the world has really had the humanoid robots moment yet," said Altman. 

© Getty Images
Androids might be a development we see in our lifetimes

He believes that it'll make for a very surreal moment when people are walking down the street and "like seven robots that walk past you doing things or whatever."

"It's gonna feel very sci-fi."

 What's the big deal with humanoid robots?

Aside from inspiring characters from Star Wars and being really cool if you're the type of person who's into those kinds of things, androids in the real world would create a seismic shift in the way we function. 

Much like AI developments, the existence of functioning androids will eliminate various automatic jobs for humans. If these robots were to be adopted in factories, these establishments would become more productive and efficient, having the ability to run at all times without accounting for salaries and work breaks. 

One thing's for sure: Our work life changing within the next couple of years. Bill Gates recently discussed some of the careers that AI won't be able to replace, making it clear that the technology will eliminate the need for a lot of jobs. He revealed that three fields are relatively safe from AI's encroachment: biology, energy, and programming. 

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In April of this year, humanoid robots participated in a half-marathon in Beijing

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