OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said nursing is one profession unlikely to be replaced by AI, even as other white-collar jobs face disruption, Fortune reported Sept. 11.
In an interview on The Tucker Carlson Show, Mr. Altman said patients will continue to value “deep human connection” in healthcare settings, regardless of advances in AI technology.
“A job that I’m confident will not be that impacted is nurses,” he said.
Mr. Altman contrasted healthcare with fields such as customer service, which he predicted AI could perform more effectively than humans, and software programming, where the long-term job outlook remains uncertain.
Healthcare’s relative security comes as the industry continues to drive U.S. job growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the economy will add 5.2 million jobs by 2034, with healthcare and social assistance leading the expansion. Senior care and disability services are expected to rise 21%, adding more than 528,000 positions.
Still, the sector is showing some signs of slowing. Healthcare added 31,000 jobs in August, below its 12-month average of 42,000, according to Fortune. Analysts warn that Medicaid cuts and broader economic pressures could weigh on future growth.
