What Sam Altman thinks about optimism

@sam-altman · 65 positions · 0 changes of mind

Co-founder and CEO of OpenAI; previously president of Y Combinator.

Sam Altman did not write this page.

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3 dated positions, 2019 to 2026, in their own words. Our reading of what Sam Altman has said — not written or endorsed by them.

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4 Aug 2026, 15:32 UTC

Our readingIt is better to be an optimist who works hard than a pessimist who writes about why things will not work, because no amount of such essays moves society forward.

Their wordsi would rather be an optimist and work hard than a pessimist posting about why things won't work. it's much more difficult and the most likely path is failure, but society fails if people don't try. no amount of "it will never work" essays will drive society forward.

↗@sama on Xx.com
10 months earlier
23 Sept 2025

Our readingAccess to AI will become a fundamental driver of the economy, and may eventually be considered a fundamental human right.

Their wordsAs AI gets smarter, access to AI will be a fundamental driver of the economy, and maybe eventually something we consider a fundamental human right.

↗Abundant Intelligenceblog.samaltman.com 1st of 2 in this piece
7 years earlier
24 Jan 2019

Our readingSelf-belief is immensely powerful: the most successful people he knows believe in themselves almost to the point of delusion.

Their wordsSelf-belief is immensely powerful. The most successful people I know believe in themselves almost to the point of delusion.

↗How To Be Successfulblog.samaltman.com 2nd of 3 in this piece