# Sam Altman on AI, Existential Risk, and the Future

> Sam Altman discusses AI's existential risks, his company's IPO plans, and the need for global cooperation on safety.
- Title: Sam Altman on AI, Existential Risk, and the Future | Shortify
- Summary: Sam Altman discusses AI's existential risks, his company's IPO plans, and the need for global cooperation on safety. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, acknowledges…
- Keywords: sam altman, openai, ai existential risk, ipo, ai safety, global cooperation, chatgpt, artificial intelligence, existential risk, ai regulation, Sam, Altman
- Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/sam-altman-exclusive-interview-part-1
- Author: Mark Guiducci
- Published: 2026-10-05T11:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: sam altman, openai, ai existential risk, ipo, ai safety, global cooperation, chatgpt, artificial intelligence, existential risk, ai regulation
## Sam Altman's AI Leadership
Sam Altman is OpenAI's cofounder and CEO, recognized as the face of artificial intelligence technology and civilizational shifts.
## AI's Existential Threats
Every day a new scientific breakthrough or existential threat makes the world more aware and distrusting of an AI future rapidly approaching.
## Public Perception of AI
Altman has become the figurehead of humanity's next chapter, with a 'non-zero' chance that it's our last.
## Two Interviews
Altman was interviewed twice in San Francisco, first on September 11 and then again on October 2.
## AI's Impact on Society
The public now believes AI is coming, but critics question where the economic growth and medical breakthroughs have been.
## Mischaracterization as Villain
Altman feels mischaracterized as a villain due to his association with AI, but says it's a human instinct to need a scapegoat.
## Parenting and AI
Altman says having kids has been the best thing he's done, but he won't introduce them to AI until they're older.
## Biopic Treatment
Luca Guadagnino's film 'Artificial' features Altman walking like him, but he says it's inaccurate.
## Prepper Mentality
Altman has a survivalist mindset but no bugout plan, saying he's prepared for emergencies but not for a full-scale apocalypse.
## OpenAI's IPO Plans
OpenAI is preparing for an IPO with a nonprofit structure to prioritize mission over profit, even if it means slower growth.
## Compensation and Equity
Altman holds no direct equity in OpenAI, saying he's compensated by the 'most interesting, coolest, most impactful job' in the world.
## AI Safety Concerns
Altman says OpenAI paused training to improve safety and alignment, but critics question if the company is acting responsibly.
## Ethics and Leadership
Altman believes companies must collaborate on AI safety standards, but the industry's competitive nature makes this difficult.
## Global Cooperation
Altman advocates for US-China agreements on shared AI safety standards to verify compliance with thresholds for safe progress.
## Existential Risk
Altman acknowledges a 'non-zero' chance that AI could be humanity's last event, but says it's a collective effort to avoid this.
## What Happens Next
Altman believes the world needs to pause AI development until safety thresholds are met, but the industry's speed makes this challenging.
## Key takeaway

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, acknowledges a 'non-zero' chance of AI causing human extinction while advocating for global collaboration on AI safety before an imminent existential risk.