The world of artificial intelligence is moving at a blistering pace, and the debate over exactly how smart these machines will get—and how soon—has never been more intense. On October 1, 2025, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, made headlines with a bold claim: GPT-5, the company’s latest AI model, is already smarter than many people. Altman went even further, predicting that by 2030, AI could automate 30-40% of all human tasks, fundamentally transforming the nature of work and the skills people need to thrive.
But not everyone in the AI world shares Altman’s optimism—or his timeline. Zhang Peng, CEO of China’s Zhipu AI, one of the country’s fastest-rising AI startups, offered a much more measured take on the future of superintelligence. Speaking on the same day as Altman, Zhang said that while artificial superintelligence (ASI) might technically be available by 2030, it would probably only surpass humans in some areas, while still falling far short in others. “People reach different conclusions when discussing this issue,” Zhang remarked, reflecting a global debate that is as much about philosophy as it is about technology, according to reporting by Reuters.
So, what’s really going on? Are we on the cusp of machines that outthink us in every way, or is the future more complicated—and, perhaps, less frightening—than it seems?
OpenAI’s Vision: Smarter AI, Transformed Work
According to TechnoSports, Altman’s perspective is nuanced. He’s not predicting the end of work as we know it, but rather a major shift in how it’s done. Instead of focusing on job loss, Altman encourages us to look at the percentage of tasks that AI can automate. “It’s useful to talk about the percentage of tasks, not jobs,” he said, explaining that while 30-40% of tasks could be handled by AI by 2030, most jobs will simply evolve rather than disappear. “Old jobs disappear, new roles emerge,” he noted, emphasizing adaptability as the key to surviving and thriving in this new landscape.
Altman’s forecast is not all about disruption and anxiety. He paints a picture of AI as a force that frees people from the drudgery of routine, repetitive work, allowing them to focus on what humans do best: creative thinking, emotional intelligence, and genuine human connection. “The meta-skill of learning how to learn” is what Altman sees as the most critical ability for the workforce of tomorrow. And there’s one thing, he insists, that AI will never replace: “Caring about people.”
In a striking comment, Altman even speculated about the arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI)—AI with human-level smarts or beyond—before the decade is out. He imagines such an AI might treat humans like a “loving parent,” though he’s quick to acknowledge the unpredictable consequences of such a leap. The potential for both positive and negative outcomes is enormous, and Altman’s remarks echo the ongoing ethical debate about aligning superintelligent AI with human values and interests.
China’s Zhipu AI: Progress, But Not Perfection
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Zhipu AI is making waves of its own. Founded in 2019 as a spinoff from Tsinghua University, Zhipu AI has rapidly emerged as a major player in China’s AI race. The company recently released GLM-4.6, an upgraded large language model boasting enhanced capabilities in coding, reasoning, writing, and agent applications. According to Zhang Peng, Zhipu is now competing with the likes of OpenAI in serving enterprise clients, even if it’s not yet ready to take on U.S. heavyweights in the consumer market.
But Zhang is far more cautious than Altman when it comes to predictions about superintelligence. Speaking to Reuters, he said, “I think achieving or exceeding human intelligence levels by 2030 might mean surpassing humans in one or several aspects, but likely still falling far short in many areas.” In other words, even if AI can write code or generate text better than most people, there are still vast domains—common sense, intuition, and perhaps even empathy—where humans remain firmly in the lead.
Zhipu’s growth is also a story of shifting business models and consumer attitudes. While Chinese consumers have historically been reluctant to pay for AI services, Zhang believes this could change as the value of AI becomes clearer and prices fall. The company recently launched a coding subscription plan for developers, hoping to tap into new revenue streams as the market matures. Plans are also afoot for a public listing on mainland Chinese markets, signaling Zhipu’s ambition to become a global AI powerhouse.
What’s Next for Work and Society?
The implications of these technological leaps are huge. As Altman told TechnoSports, jobs with a high proportion of routine tasks—think customer service or basic clerical work—are most at risk of being automated. But rather than simply eliminating these jobs, AI is likely to change what they look like. Workers will need to adapt, focusing on new skills and roles that leverage their uniquely human abilities. “Learning how to learn” and focusing on understanding what people truly want and need are the skills Altman says will be most valuable in the years ahead.
There’s a real opportunity here, but also a challenge. As AI takes over the mundane, workers could find themselves freed up for more complex problem-solving and creative work. But for those whose jobs are mostly made up of automatable tasks, the transition could be bumpy. Altman stresses the importance of education and training, urging policymakers and industry leaders to invest in helping workers make the leap to new roles.
The arrival of superintelligence—if and when it comes—will only raise the stakes. Altman envisions AI as a collaborator in fields like science, capable of making discoveries far beyond human reach. But he and Zhang both acknowledge the risks. Superintelligent AI could bring breakthroughs in medicine and technology, but aligning its goals with human values will be a monumental task. “Ensuring that superintelligent AI aligns with human values and interests will be critical to harnessing its potential responsibly,” Altman noted, as reported by TechnoSports and summarized in The Economic Times.
Rivalry and Collaboration on the Global Stage
It’s not just about technology—it’s also about global competition. OpenAI and Zhipu AI are both racing to build smarter, more capable AI models, but their approaches and philosophies differ. According to Reuters, OpenAI even singled out Zhipu as a fast-rising rival, describing it as an extension of Beijing’s efforts to promote Chinese-developed AI abroad. Zhang, for his part, called such recognition “flattering” but insisted the company’s overseas expansion was just “normal business.”
As these two giants push the boundaries of what’s possible, the rest of the world watches—and wonders. Will AI become a benevolent partner, freeing us from drudgery and opening new horizons? Or will it bring disruption and uncertainty, upending industries and livelihoods faster than we can adapt?
For now, one thing is clear: the future of AI is coming fast, and it’s going to change everything. Whether those changes are for better or worse will depend on the choices we make today—about technology, education, ethics, and the very meaning of work itself.
