Sam Altman: "Never a Better Time to Do a Startup"

In a candid conversation at Startup School 2026, OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman declared that there has never been a better time to start a company. Reflecting on his own journey, which began as a Stanford sophomore in Y Combinator's first batch in 2005, Altman shared insights on ambition, the burgeoning field of AI agents, and the transformative potential of startups in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.

From YC's First Batch to OpenAI's CEO

Altman's connection to Y Combinator runs deep, dating back to his time as a YC founder himself, building a startup in Cambridge while Paul Graham provided dinners for the cohort. Now, two decades later, as the leader of OpenAI, he joined YC's Garry Tan to discuss the future of entrepreneurship. The conversation highlighted how the scale and ambition of startups have grown exponentially since the early days of YC.

The full discussion can be found on YC's YouTube channel.

The AI Revolution and Startup Potential

Altman emphasized that the current era, driven by advancements in AI, is ushering in a new golden age for ambitious startups. He noted that technology shifts are precisely when startups have the greatest opportunity to make a significant impact. He recalled the skepticism faced when building OpenAI, a time when few believed in the pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), underscoring the importance of conviction and finding people who share that vision.

"Building OpenAI when nobody believed in AGI... finding people who share your conviction." Altman highlighted the crucial role of conviction in the face of doubt, especially when pursuing ambitious, world-changing goals. He stressed the importance of not being deterred by "haters" and focusing on the earnest pursuit of the mission.

Ambition, Agents, and the Future of Startups

The conversation touched upon the accelerating pace of AI model improvement and the vision for an AI future that benefits humanity. Altman described the best version of this future as one where AI agents can help people before they even know why they need help, fostering a world that is "all going to work out." He also addressed the critical need to prevent AI power from concentrating in too few hands, ensuring that the benefits are widely distributed.

"The ceiling for what a startup can take on has never been higher," Altman stated, pointing to the capabilities of AI agents as a key driver of this potential. He believes that startups can now tackle problems and build products that were previously unimaginable, even just a few years ago.

Lessons from the Early Days and the Power of Ambition

Altman shared a nostalgic anecdote about his time in YC, recalling how startups were once perceived as a less glamorous pursuit. He contrasted this with the current environment, where the potential for startups to address massive challenges is undeniable. He also reflected on the lessons learned from Paul Graham, emphasizing the importance of earnestness and ambition in navigating the startup journey.

The conversation also touched upon the AI safety incident that raised the stakes for the field, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the societal impact of these powerful technologies. Altman’s perspective suggests that while the challenges are significant, the opportunities for startups, particularly those leveraging AI, are immense and "never been higher."