OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Urges U.S. to Prepare for AI ‘Superintelligence’ Risks and Opportunities

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said AI has moved beyond theoretical research and into everyday economic activity, taking on programming and research tasks that once required entire teams of engineers. As its capabilities approach “superintelligence,” the potential for scientific breakthroughs comes with risks including cyberattacks, misuse in biological research and job disruption, making early U.S. policy planning essential.

In an Axios interview on April 6, 2026, Altman warned that a cyberattack powerful enough to shock the world could occur as soon as this year. Ledger Chief Technology Officer Charles Guillemet said AI can reduce vulnerability analysis that once took months to mere seconds. More than $1.4 billion in crypto assets was stolen in 2025, underscoring the urgency of strengthening code verification and secure hardware.