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People Don't Want an AI CEO and Value Human Connection More
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- DeepHorus
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently stated in an interview with Business Insider that people do not want AI to replace their jobs, especially critical roles like CEO. He noted that the public needs to know who is responsible for corporate decisions and who to hold accountable if decisions go wrong, so people actually do not want an AI CEO. This statement is in stark contrast to his views from last November, when he claimed it would be a failure for OpenAI if other companies used AI models to replace CEOs first.
Altman emphasized that people value human-to-human connections, which is one reason AI has not 'disrupted' the economy as he initially predicted. Although it is now possible to hire AI consultants, talk to AI sales representatives, or employ AI engineers, most people still prefer dealing with real humans. He even admitted feeling the same: 'Almost no matter what I do, I prefer interacting with a real person over AI.'
Using artistic creation as an example, he explained that even though AI models can generate stunning images, people still treasure human-created artwork. 'Some joke that at this stage, most of the value of an artwork lies in the artist's signature. But the truth is, people want to know the creator behind the work.' The same applies to reading novels—people want to know the author. This desire for human connection is deep-rooted.
Altman believes that people's insistence on preserving and valuing humanity has also changed his view on whether AI will cause massive job losses as previously imagined. He had earlier said AI would eliminate 'entire categories' of jobs, but recently he found that the short-term impact of AI on entry-level positions was less than expected, and he is 'happy to have been wrong.'
This shift reflects the AI industry's reevaluation of technology's substitution effect. While AI continues to break through in efficiency, humans' demand for trust, responsibility, and emotional bonds remains strong. Analysts point out that AI is better suited as an auxiliary tool rather than a complete replacement, especially at the executive decision-making level, where human experience and ethical judgment are hard to replace by algorithms.
The industry has mixed reactions. Some tech leaders once touted AI's full takeover of management, but Altman's latest remarks suggest that AI's limitations are greater than imagined. The user base generally supports this view, with many respondents saying they trust human judgment more and worry that AI CEOs could lead to a lack of accountability.
Looking ahead, Altman predicts AI will play more of an auxiliary role rather than directly replacing human leaders. OpenAI may adjust its R&D direction to focus on tools that enhance human capabilities rather than pursuing full automation. He also warns not to underestimate AI's long-term impact, but in the short term, human value will prevail.
From a macro industry trend perspective, this discussion reflects the real-world challenges of AI implementation. With the spread of large models, companies are rethinking the boundaries of 'AI-first' strategies and emphasizing 'human-machine collaboration.' Whether in art, management, or entry-level positions, the human pursuit of uniqueness and emotional connection is reshaping AI's application scenarios.
