In a week marked by pivotal discussions about the future of artificial intelligence, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Alswaha, met with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in the United States on October 18, 2025. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the high-profile meeting focused on expanding collaboration in generative AI technologies and exploring innovative solutions that could reshape not just the Kingdom, but the global technological landscape.
This meeting, part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to strengthen its digital economy and AI ecosystem, comes as the world grapples with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on jobs, economies, and society at large. The talks between Alswaha and Altman included ambitious plans: enabling global AI inference centers, developing advanced infrastructure to support trusted AI applications, and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for cutting-edge research and emerging technologies. All these align closely with the strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s sweeping initiative to diversify its economy and cement its position as a leader in technological innovation.
But as Saudi Arabia forges ahead, questions about AI’s impact on employment loom large. At OpenAI’s recent Dev Day conference, also held this week, Sam Altman stirred debate with his candid perspective on the future of work. In a conversation with tech creator Rowan Cheung, Altman suggested that people losing their jobs to AI might not have been doing “real work” in the first place. He framed his argument with a thought experiment: imagine a farmer from 50 years ago looking at today’s desk jobs. For someone who spends their days laboring in the fields to provide food and sustain life, the idea of sitting in front of a computer all day might seem almost meaningless.
Altman put it bluntly: “That farmer would probably look at what you and I do and say, ‘That’s not real work.’” He went on to explain that, from the farmer’s perspective, desk jobs might look like little more than playing a game. This analogy, Altman argued, highlights how every era redefines what counts as meaningful work. What was once considered essential—like farming—has evolved dramatically with the march of industrialization and technology.
“Maybe our jobs were not as real as a farmer’s job, but it’s a lot more real than this game you’re playing to entertain yourself,” Altman observed, underscoring the shifting sands beneath our notions of work. His comments, though provocative, point to a broader truth: as technology advances, the very definition of labor changes. Just as the farmer of decades past might struggle to understand the value of coding or digital marketing, so too might we have trouble imagining the jobs that the AI era will create.
For Saudi Arabia, these debates are more than academic. The Kingdom’s bid to become a global leader in AI is not just about technological prowess, but about preparing its society and economy for a future in which work, productivity, and value might look very different from today. The meeting between Alswaha and Altman was not just a diplomatic gesture—it was a signal that Saudi Arabia intends to be at the forefront of these seismic shifts.
During their discussions, Alswaha and Altman focused on enabling global AI inference centers—facilities designed to process and analyze vast amounts of data, making AI applications faster, more reliable, and more secure. Such centers are crucial for the development of trusted AI applications, which are increasingly in demand as businesses and governments seek assurance that their AI systems are robust, ethical, and transparent. By investing in advanced infrastructure, Saudi Arabia hopes to attract top researchers and technology firms, reinforcing its ambition to be a global hub for innovation.
This strategy is deeply intertwined with Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s blueprint for economic diversification and modernization. Vision 2030 aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil, bolster its private sector, and create new opportunities for its youthful population. Technology—and AI in particular—is seen as a cornerstone of this transformation. By partnering with global leaders like OpenAI, Saudi Arabia is betting that it can leapfrog into the ranks of the world’s most advanced digital economies.
Yet, as Altman’s remarks at Dev Day make clear, the rise of AI is not without its challenges. The prospect of machines replacing human workers has sparked anxiety across industries, from finance to healthcare to logistics. When asked about the fear that AI could wipe out nearly a billion knowledge-worker jobs before new ones appear, Altman was philosophical. He pointed out that every technological revolution has brought disruption, but also new opportunities. “I’m so willing to bet on human drives being what they are,” Altman said. “We’ll find plenty of things to do.”
This optimism is not shared by everyone. Critics warn that the pace of AI advancement could outstrip society’s ability to adapt, leaving millions unemployed or underemployed. Others argue that the jobs created by AI may not be accessible to those displaced, especially if they require new skills or education. Still, Altman remains confident in humanity’s capacity for reinvention. He believes that, just as the internet created jobs no one could have imagined a generation ago, AI will unlock new forms of work and creativity.
For Saudi Arabia, this means preparing its workforce for the jobs of tomorrow—even if no one can quite say what those jobs will be. The Kingdom has already invested heavily in education and training programs aimed at equipping young Saudis with digital skills. By fostering partnerships with companies like OpenAI, it hopes to ensure that its people are not just consumers of technology, but creators and innovators as well.
The stakes could hardly be higher. As the world’s largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia’s economic future depends on its ability to adapt to a world where data, not oil, is the most valuable commodity. The meeting between Alswaha and Altman is a sign that the Kingdom is willing to take bold steps to secure its place in that future. Whether it can navigate the social and economic challenges that come with rapid technological change remains to be seen.
Still, if history is any guide, the definition of “real work” will keep evolving. As Altman noted, what seems essential today may look quaint tomorrow. For Saudis—and for the rest of us—the challenge is not just to keep up, but to shape the future before it shapes us.
