A World Transformed by AI

Imagine waking up in 2035. Your AI assistant—far beyond today’s voice assistants—has already optimized your schedule, finished work reports, managed your investments, and perhaps even prepped your breakfast using a humanoid robot. While you sip your coffee, an AI-powered medical system continuously monitors your health, ensuring that any potential diseases are detected and treated before symptoms even arise.

If this sounds like science fiction, think again. Sam Altman, one of the foremost thinkers in artificial intelligence, believes this future is not only possible but inevitable. In his latest memo, Altman lays out a vision of AI so deeply integrated into society that it reshapes every aspect of our lives—from work to healthcare, economics to creativity.

The Rise of AGI: Smarter, Faster, and Ubiquitous

Altman predicts that by 2027, we will see artificial general intelligence (AGI) reach a stage where it can solve increasingly complex problems at a human level across many fields. While AGI remains loosely defined today, its emergence will mark the most significant technological shift since electricity, transistors, and the internet.

Unlike previous revolutions, however, AI won’t just be a tool; it will be a force multiplier, enabling individuals to accomplish tasks that once required entire teams. In 2035, the average person may be as productive as today’s most brilliant minds, simply by leveraging AI agents that can think, analyze, and execute on demand.

An Economy on Steroids

One of Altman’s boldest claims is that AI-driven economic growth will be staggering. Imagine a world where AI models don’t just generate reports but actively innovate, develop new scientific theories, and contribute to breakthroughs in medicine, engineering, and beyond.

We may see an era where businesses operate 24/7 with AI employees, significantly reducing costs while accelerating productivity. Entrepreneurs will have access to AI advisors capable of developing entire business plans, automating legal documentation, and even securing funding through AI-driven investment firms.

But with such immense growth comes a fundamental question: who benefits? Will AI widen the wealth gap, or will it become the great equalizer?

The Declining Cost of AI

One of the more fascinating predictions in Altman’s memo is the rapid decline in AI costs. He suggests that the cost of using a given level of AI will drop by a factor of 10 every year. If this trend holds, AI services that cost thousands today will be accessible for mere cents in the future.

This would have massive implications for global economics. AI-driven productivity could eliminate the need for many traditional jobs while simultaneously creating new ones. But what happens when AI is so cheap and efficient that human labor is no longer the primary driver of economic value?

Altman speculates that new economic models may emerge—ones that redefine wealth distribution and challenge long-held beliefs about work, income, and value creation.

Healthcare: The AI Doctor is In

One of the most exciting possibilities for AI in 2035 is its impact on healthcare. Altman envisions a future where AI-assisted research leads to cures for diseases that have plagued humanity for centuries.

Imagine AI systems capable of simulating human biology at an advanced level, running billions of experiments in silico, and proposing new treatments almost instantly. With AI diagnosing and predicting diseases long before symptoms appear, we might enter an era where most medical conditions are preventable rather than treatable.

AI and Society: The Good, The Bad, and The Unpredictable

While Altman is optimistic about AI’s potential, he doesn’t shy away from discussing the societal risks. The widespread adoption of AGI will inevitably lead to new ethical dilemmas and societal shifts.

The Good: A Fairer World?

If AI truly democratizes intelligence, the gap between the privileged and underprivileged could shrink dramatically. With AI-powered education, anyone could access the best teachers, mentors, and curriculums tailored specifically to their needs. AI could also revolutionize governance, making bureaucratic inefficiencies a thing of the past and enabling more direct forms of democracy.

The Bad: The Surveillance Dystopia?

On the flip side, Altman acknowledges the risk of AI-enhanced surveillance. Imagine a world where every action is monitored, analyzed, and stored by an AI system capable of predicting behavior. Governments and corporations could wield unprecedented power, controlling access to information, resources, and even opportunities based on AI-driven assessments.

While AI could make the world safer by predicting and preventing crimes, it could also strip away privacy and autonomy in ways we’ve never encountered before.

The Unpredictable: A World Beyond Human Comprehension

The most intriguing part of Altman’s vision is the idea that by 2035, AI will advance to such a degree that the nature of intelligence itself will change. What does it mean when AI-driven intelligence surpasses human capacity on every front? How does that reshape our identity, our purpose, and our role in the universe?

Altman suggests that exponential AI growth will create a future so radically different from today that it’s almost impossible to predict its full implications. Just as someone from the early 1900s couldn’t have imagined the internet, we may struggle to grasp what the world of 2035 will truly look like.

The Road Ahead: Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

If Altman’s predictions hold true, the most important thing we can do today is prepare. Those who understand AI, learn to work with it, and leverage its capabilities will thrive in the new economy.

Here are a few key takeaways for individuals and businesses looking to adapt:

• Embrace AI Tools: Learn how to use AI for automation, productivity, and creativity. Those who resist AI will fall behind.
• Invest in Lifelong Learning: The skills that matter today may be obsolete in a decade. Adaptability will be the most valuable trait.
• Advocate for Ethical AI: Push for policies that ensure AI benefits are distributed fairly and that safeguards are in place to prevent misuse.
• Think Beyond Traditional Jobs: The job market will change drastically. Rather than focusing on jobs that may disappear, focus on skills that complement AI rather than compete with it.

Conclusion: Welcome to the Future

Whether you’re excited or terrified by Altman’s vision, one thing is clear: AI is not a passing trend. It is the single most disruptive force of our time, and by 2035, it will have reshaped the world in ways we can barely imagine.

The best approach? Stay informed, stay adaptable, and prepare for a future where intelligence—both human and artificial—drives the next great era of civilization.

Are you ready for 2035?

By Ignacio Oroná (CBO)