Sam Altman Says AI Will Give 2035 Grads High-Paying Space Jobs.
Artificial intelligence is advancing so quickly that future careers may look like science fiction, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. In an interview with video journalist Cleo Abram, he predicted that by 2035 some graduates may “step straight from the lecture hall onto a spacecraft.” He described these jobs as “super well-paid, super interesting,” making today’s work seem outdated.
The vision builds on real momentum in the space sector: NASA aims for Mars missions in the 2030s, while SpaceX and Blue Origin are investing in lunar bases and asteroid mining. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics already reports median aerospace engineer pay above $130,000. AI is accelerating this trend by enabling faster spacecraft design, better risk prediction, and autonomous operations in space.
Altman noted that younger workers will adapt most easily, while older professionals may face tougher transitions. He argued that 22-year-olds today are “the luckiest generation in history” thanks to AI’s ability to act as a collaborator and accelerator. Other tech leaders, including Bill Gates and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, share his view that AI will transform work, from enabling shorter workweeks to giving employees “superhuman” abilities.
AI may also revolutionize entrepreneurship. Altman suggested GPT-5–class models could let one person run a billion-dollar company, handling design, marketing, and manufacturing with AI tools. Investor Mark Cuban went further, predicting AI could create the world’s first trillionaire. For the Class of 2035, the winning formula may combine AI mastery, entrepreneurial agility, and readiness for careers beyond Earth.