Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the global workforce, with experts predicting that many jobs of the future will be dramatically different from today. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has outlined a vision in which space exploration becomes a realistic and high-paying career option for college graduates within the next decade.
Sam Altman’s Vision for 2035 Graduates
Altman envisions that within the next 10 years, space exploration will no longer be limited to astronauts from government space agencies. Instead, private companies and international partnerships could create opportunities for skilled professionals from various backgrounds.
“In 2035, that graduating college student, if they still go to college at all, could very well be leaving on a mission to explore the solar system on a spaceship in some completely new, exciting, super well-paid, super interesting job,” Altman said.
This outlook is tied to advancements in artificial intelligence, which he believes will help automate complex tasks, enabling more people to participate in large-scale space projects without the need for decades of specialised astronaut training.
Current Workforce Trends in Aerospace and AI’s Impact on Future Jobs
According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, aerospace engineering positions are growing faster than the national average. Professionals in this sector already earn annual salaries exceeding $130,000, and demand is expected to rise as more private companies invest in spacecraft manufacturing, satellite technology, and interplanetary research.
With the growth of commercial space travel and lunar exploration programs, the range of potential roles extends beyond engineering to include robotics specialists, AI technicians, and planetary scientists.
Altman acknowledged that artificial intelligence will replace certain job categories, but he emphasised its potential to create entirely new career opportunities. He described AI as a tool that can amplify individual capabilities, enabling small teams or even single individuals to achieve results that once required large organisations.
Perspective of Bill Gates, Jensen Huang and Mark Cuban
Other prominent figures in the technology sector share different views on AI’s role in the future of work:
- Bill Gates has suggested that AI could lead to shorter workweeks, with humans required for fewer tasks.
- Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, has focused on AI as a way to enhance human potential rather than replace it.
- Mark Cuban has predicted that AI could enable unprecedented wealth creation, even suggesting that the world’s first trillionaire could be a single person running a business from their own home.
The Role of AI in Space Exploration
AI already plays a role in space research through autonomous navigation systems, predictive maintenance, and data analysis for missions. Altman’s forecast aligns with NASA’s broader vision, which includes crewed missions to Mars in the 2030s.
If these timelines hold, 2035 graduates could be entering a workforce where commercial and government-led missions to the Moon, Mars, and other destinations are underway. Positions might range from spacecraft design and operations to in-space manufacturing and interplanetary logistics.
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