OpenAI's Sam Altman warns that firms are using 'AI washing' to mask layoffs across the globe — AI boss calls out corporate excuses while warning of 'palpable' job disruption ahead

Sam Altman speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in February 2026.

Artificial intelligence is already proving to be a disruption to the workplace, with the scope depending on your industry, but OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes that some of the damage isn’t entirely the fault of AI firms. He raised his belief that so-called “AI washing,” where AI is being falsely blamed for layoffs in some businesses, is being used as an excuse to reduce headcounts.

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