OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says one of AI’s biggest overlooked risks is “cognitive atrophy,” warning that people could weaken their own thinking if they rely on AI to do too much for them.
Speaking on the Invest Like the Best podcast, Altman said people should continue to “stretch” their brains and develop the skills that matter, even as AI becomes capable of handling more complex tasks.
His comments come as researchers increasingly warn that while AI can boost productivity, overreliance may gradually reduce critical thinking and other cognitive abilities. Recent studies have suggested that frequent AI use for writing and problem-solving could weaken underlying skills over time.
Altman also painted an optimistic picture of AI’s future, describing a world where a personal AI assistant helps manage emails, documents, meetings, research, and daily tasks.
Even so, he believes uniquely human judgment will remain difficult for AI to replicate, making it one of the most valuable skills in the AI era.