Sam Altman makes bold prediction, says AI will make groundbreaking discovery within two years

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has predicted that artificial intelligence (AI) could make a major scientific breakthrough within the next two years, a milestone he says could fundamentally reshape how humanity approaches discovery and innovation.

In a recent interview, Altman said the experimental phase of AI is nearing its end, with the technology now evolving into a practical and transformative tool.

He believes the next stage of AI development will enable systems to assist scientists in uncovering new principles and solving complex problems.

“There are people who use ChatGPT to stop thinking, and others who use it to think bigger than ever,” Altman said, emphasising how AI can amplify human creativity rather than replace it.

He praised the ingenuity of the top 5% of ChatGPT users, calling them a glimpse into AI’s true potential.

Altman also noted that AI’s ability to write code, automate complex workflows, and generate innovative solutions is paving the way for unprecedented progress.

“With GPT-5, you can ask it to do almost anything,” he said, suggesting that upcoming models will be capable of more advanced reasoning and scientific work.

However, Altman cautioned that AI still lacks a crucial “conceptual framework” required to unlock its full potential.

He said the next big leap would come from developing models that possess deeper cognitive understanding, transforming AI from a productivity enhancer into a genuine discovery engine.