Sam Altman Says Superintelligence Is Near: OpenAI’s 13‑Page Blueprint Sparks Global Debate

OpenAI policy blueprint

In an Axios interview Sam Altman said superintelligent AI will arrive sooner than most expect, describing it as powerful and disruptive.

He identified imminent risks: advanced cyber‑attacks, bio‑security threats, and large‑scale replacement of human labor by AI.

OpenAI released a 13‑page document titled “Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age: A Human‑Centred Approach” that proposes six radical measures to keep society functional during the transition.

Public Wealth Fund – a sovereign fund financed by AI companies that distributes AI‑generated wealth directly to citizens, modeled on Alaska’s permanent fund.

Robot Tax – taxes on automated labor and AI company profits to fund displaced workers and social‑security programs.

Higher Capital Gains Tax – increased tax rates on the wealthy to finance the transition and redistribute AI‑driven wealth.

Four‑Day Work Week – a reduced workweek without wage cuts, sharing productivity gains with workers.

Universal AI Access – treating basic AI access as a fundamental right, akin to electricity or literacy, to ensure underserved groups benefit.

Rapid Social Safety Net – expanding unemployment benefits, Medicaid, and social security for workers permanently replaced by AI, with adaptive mechanisms that can be scaled back once stability returns.

The document states that the path to superintelligence is uncertain and that a democratic process should guide the transition, giving people real power to shape AI’s future and build resilience for various outcomes.

Altman also referenced an upcoming next‑generation model, rumored to be called “Spud,” which he expects could enable breakthroughs comparable to a career‑defining discovery.

Reference URLs:

https://x.com/chatgpt21/status/2041200676387135588

https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/behind-the-curtain-sams-superintelligence-new-deal

https://cdn.openai.com/pdf/561e7512-253e-424b-9734-ef4098440601/Industrial%20Policy%20for%20the%20Intelligence%20Age.pdf