Internet Conquest Strategy Unveiled by Sam Altman and OpenAI

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is at the forefront of a revolutionary vision for the future. This vision, aptly named "The Gentle Singularity," paints a picture of AI shaping human experience over the next 15 years.

Altman argues that we have passed the AI "event horizon," and achieving digital superintelligence is underway. He believes that AI already exceeds human abilities in numerous domains, and this trend is set to continue.

OpenAI's latest innovation is memory-based agents, such as ChatGPT, which remember user preferences, tone, and life goals. These agents are designed to act as an operating system, collapsing the distance between intention and execution, eliminating tabs and lag.

In April 2025, OpenAI launched a pro version of ChatGPT with memory enabled. Within three weeks, 27% of users reported they were using it instead of project management tools like Notion or Trello. This shift towards AI-driven productivity is a clear indication of the growing acceptance and reliance on AI.

However, Altman is not blind to the potential downsides. He admits that people becoming too dependent on AI feels dangerous. Loss of autonomy, over-reliance on AI, alignment and safety challenges, inequality and infrastructure scarcity, market bubbles and governance, data privacy, surveillance, and control issues are all concerns that need to be addressed.

OpenAI is working on solutions to these challenges. They are reportedly collaborating with ex-Apple designer Jony Ive and SoftBank to create AI-native devices with no screens, aiming to integrate AI seamlessly into everyday life.

The ultimate goal is to provide the foundational layer of intelligence overlaying the internet and everyday life, acting as the operating system, agent, advisor, and infrastructure. Altman envisions this AI as a "thinking engine" or "Answer Engine" that not only finds information but acts on it, plans daily tasks, writes code, negotiates rent, and potentially manages relationships.

The stakes are high, and the question isn't whether AI will take over the internet, but whether individuals are ready to hand control of their lives to AI. A 2024 Statista report found that 57% of U.S. Gen Z already use AI daily for decision-making, and Altman predicts this number will reach 90% within five years.

The AI operating system aims to democratize genius, offering productivity and creativity at scale, potential scientific and economic expansion, and simplicity. However, it also raises questions about autonomy, dependence, and the future of work. As we move towards an AI-first Internet, where ChatGPT becomes the central nervous system of digital life, these questions will become increasingly important.

The Stargate project, led by Altman, could require more than 100 million GPUs by the end of the decade, making it the largest computer infrastructure in human history. This project, along with the vision of The Gentle Singularity, demonstrates OpenAI's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve.

Looking back, we can see how far we've come. From the slow, clunky internet of the mid-90s to the AI-driven digital life of today, the pace of technological change is breathtaking. As we look to the future, the question isn't if AI will change the world, but how we will navigate these changes to ensure a future that benefits everyone.