# OpenAI's Sam Altman calls MBA students a chronic disappointment for chasing old trends

Digest AI · Business & Funding · published 2026-10-28T23:38:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/openai-s-sam-altman-calls-mba-students-a-chronic-disappointment-for-ch

## Summary

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told Stanford Graduate School of Business students that MBA graduates often pursue established career paths instead of emerging opportunities, calling it his "chronic disappointment." Speaking in an interview reported by Fortune, Altman said many want to do what was "cool five years ago" rather than try something new, and advised that now is a great time to start ventures.

Altman said AI will transform large parts of the job market, with huge numbers of tasks done better, cheaper, and faster, though the transition will take time. He expects many companies built on OpenAI's technology to become larger and more important than OpenAI itself. Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and entrepreneur Mark Cuban echoed the view that AI-era startups have an advantage and that treating AI as a core capability is essential.

The article notes that Stanford reported in 2016 that the share of MBA students choosing startups was about three times the early-1990s level, and that founding a company remains high-risk. The practical takeaway is to build AI fluency regardless of career path.

## Key points

- Altman calls MBA focus on established paths his chronic disappointment
- AI will transform jobs but transition takes time, Altman says
- Altman expects companies built on OpenAI tech to surpass OpenAI

## Why it matters

Altman frames the AI shift as a rare window for founders, urging talent toward new ventures rather than legacy roles, while acknowledging the transition will be gradual.

## Sources

1. [OpenAI's Sam Altman is disappointed with MBA students; AI will reshape jobs but also create big openings for founders, he says](https://educationtimes.com/news/openais-sam-altman-is-disappointed-with-mba-students-ai-will-reshape-jobs-but-also-create-big-openings-for-founders-he-says/articleshow/135292861.cms) (educationtimes.com, 2026-10-28)

## Cite

Digest AI, "OpenAI's Sam Altman calls MBA students a chronic disappointment for chasing old trends", 28 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-s-sam-altman-calls-mba-students-a-chronic-disappointment-for-ch

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