The tech world is buzzing again with Sam Altman’s recent comments about AI development timelines. During a new interview, OpenAI’s CEO suggested that a rapid AI takeoff scenario is more likely than he previously thought - potentially happening within just a few years rather than a decade. This shift in perspective from one of AI’s most influential figures deserves careful consideration.

Working in tech, I’ve witnessed how quickly things can change when breakthrough technologies hit their stride. The transition from on-premise servers to cloud computing seemed gradual until suddenly every new startup was cloud-native. But what Altman is describing feels different - more like a step change than a gradual evolution.