OpenAI Unveils Dots Agent at DevDay; Altman Says Impact Will Exceed Industrial Revolution

Speaking at OpenAI's DevDay in San Francisco on September 29, 2026, CEO Sam Altman announced the launch of Dots, a new AI agent product, and shared his views on a range of industry issues.

Altman said AI's impact will surpass that of the Industrial Revolution, but argued the technology should be used to empower people rather than simply accelerate the economic machine. He also criticized token-based pricing, saying tokens are a poor metric because different models can consume different amounts to complete the same task. OpenAI had considered dropping the metric entirely, but customers preferred a pricing foundation, so tokens remain for now.

Altman said it is reasonable to expect Dots will run on devices developed by OpenAI. He described how Dots already handles some of his tasks and notifications, making him less dependent on his smartphone.

On AI safety, Altman said both sides of the debate have flaws: unchecked capability advancement risks losing control, while halting development could concentrate power. He argued for a middle path where safeguards stay ahead of capability development while progress continues.

Asked about the job market for graduates, Altman said now is the best time to enter the workforce, adding that gloomy predictions of mass unemployment underestimate future economic growth.