Sam Altman Says the Main Thing He’s Excited About Next Year Is Achieving AGI

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has set an ambitious goal for 2025: achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI). While many people set New Year’s resolutions around fitness or finances, Altman has his sights set on AGI—a milestone in AI where machines can understand, learn, and apply knowledge like humans. During a talk with Y Combinator CEO Gary Tan, who succeeded him as the incubator’s leader after his 2019 departure, Altman made a startling prediction. Asked what he’s most excited for in the coming year, Altman replied without hesitation, “AGI.” He envisions this monumental shift arriving as early as next year.

In a surprising turn, Altman also shared that he and his husband, Oliver Mulherin, are expecting a child in 2025, saying, “That’s the thing I’m most excited for, ever, in life.” Yet, dropping this personal milestone only after mentioning AGI suggests that Altman’s life goals are as revolutionary as his professional ones.

Altman’s confidence in AGI’s imminent arrival raises both excitement and apprehension. Just days before, on the “20VC” podcast, he mused that the AGI “moment” would soon arrive, changing technology drastically over five years but leaving society “surprisingly little” transformed. However, within OpenAI, opinions differ. Miles Brundage, the former AGI readiness czar, recently resigned, citing concerns over OpenAI’s ability to handle the gravity of AGI. Following his exit, OpenAI disbanded its AGI readiness team, stirring further debate on whether the company is truly prepared.

As Altman promotes an optimistic AGI future, two questions linger: is AGI truly around the corner, and if so, can OpenAI navigate the unprecedented challenges it will bring? With a 2025 horizon for AGI, Altman’s ambition might be the catalyst that accelerates humanity into a new era—whether it’s ready or not.