OpenAI’s Sam Altman warns that firms are using ‘AI washing’ to mask layoffs across the globe — AI boss calls out corporate excuses while warning of ‘palpable’ job disruption ahead
Publish Date: 2026-02-20 10:18:00
Source Domain: www.tomshardware.com
- Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, suggests the term “AI washing” where AI is unfairly blamed for layoffs in some companies.
- Altman stresses there is a mix of “real displacement by AI” and “AI washing” as reasons for layoffs, distinguishing between genuine AI impacts and misleading claims.
- He remains optimistic about AI’s long-term job generation capabilities, expecting new job types to emerge due to every tech revolution.
- A recent survey shows that 80% of executives don’t believe AI is improving productivity or employment, contradicting warnings of AI replacing white-collar jobs.
- The Yale Budget Lab report seems to support Altman’s view, indicating limited significant occupational changes or unemployment shifts since AI deployment.
- Significant venture capital investment in AI underscores high expectations for the technology’s contributions to businesses.
- Despite Altman’s optimism, people in high-risk AI-affected roles face uncertainty regarding their job security.
