Portuguese 
Spanish 
The CEO of OpenAI Says Generation Z Can Explore the Solar System and Redefine the Future of Work with AI.
The transformation of the future of work driven by artificial intelligence could lead Generation Z to careers that are currently considered unimaginable, including highly paid space exploration missions.
The assessment comes from Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who states that within about ten years, recent graduates may be able to work outside Earth in unprecedented roles.
According to him, this change will occur as AI eliminates traditional jobs, creates new opportunities, and completely redefines how people work and build their careers.
-
The ‘tsunami’ of investments directed at Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semiconductor companies, which prioritize security and more predictable profits, has been a determining factor in the declining trajectory of Bitcoin.
-
Samsung eyes strategic chip factory in South Korea and could shake up the global AI landscape with advancements in HBM memories and advanced packaging.
-
Nvidia makes agreements in South Korea for AI factories and takes data centers, advanced chips, and global cloud to another level by 2027
-
ChatGPT reveals which human job it would choose if it could really work
Generation Z and the Crisis of Meaning at the Start of a Career
The Generation Z enters the job market amid economic uncertainties, accelerated automation, and frustration with traditional career paths.
Meanwhile, the promise of stability through a college degree no longer guarantees a smooth transition to professional life.
In this context, Sam Altman recognizes that artificial intelligence will eliminate certain jobs. Still, he argues that the current period represents a historic opportunity for those just starting out, especially for young people open to emerging and technological fields.
Space Exploration Emerges as a New Professional Frontier
For Altman, space exploration could become one of the most exciting fields of the future of work.
In an interview with journalist Cleo Abram, he stated:
“In 2035, that student graduating from college, if they even go to college, might very well be embarking on a mission to explore the solar system on a ship, in some completely new, exciting, well-paid, and super interesting job.”
Although the pace of this expansion remains uncertain, ambitious projects from agencies like NASA, which plans manned missions to Mars in the 2030s
indicate that the demand for specialized professionals is likely to grow.
High Salaries and Growing Demand for Engineers
Data from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics shows that the number of aerospace engineers is growing above the national average.
Moreover, salaries reinforce the appeal of the field, surpassing US$ 130,000 per year.
This scenario supports Sam Altman’s view that Generation Z will have access to highly qualified and well-paid careers
especially those related to advanced technology and space exploration.
More Pragmatic Views on Artificial Intelligence
Other leaders in the tech sector share relevant projections about the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work, albeit with less futuristic approaches.
The co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, stated that AI could drastically reduce the weekly work hours.
According to him, humans will not be needed “for most things,” raising debates about two or three-day work weeks.
Enhanced Productivity and the Human Role
Meanwhile, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang argues that AI enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them.
In an interview with Cleo Abram, he stated:
“I’m surrounded by superhuman people and superintelligence… Still, that has never made me think that I wouldn’t be needed anymore.”
This view reinforces the idea that the future of work will be characterized by collaboration between humans and intelligent systems.
Billion-Dollar Companies Formed by a Single Person
After the launch of the GPT-5 model, Sam Altman declared that artificial intelligence puts in people’s hands a technology equivalent to “a team of PhD-level experts”. This makes it feasible to create extremely valuable companies with minimal structures.
“Now it’s probably possible to create a one-person company that could be worth over US$ 1 billion,” said Altman.
Investor Mark Cuban expanded on this forecast by stating that AI could even create a new trillionaire, possibly surpassing fortunes like that of Elon Musk.
Why the Future of Work May Favor Generation Z
Despite the uncertainties, Sam Altman says he envies the young people who are starting their careers now.
Moreover, for him, the combination of artificial intelligence, accelerated innovation, and new frontiers like space exploration creates a unique scenario.
“If I were 22 years old now and graduating, I would feel like the luckiest person in history,” he said.
Thus, while Generation Z faces real challenges in the present, the horizon points to a radically different future of work, with opportunities that exceed the boundaries of the planet.
