OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: I don't use Google anymore, I cannot tell you ...
OpenAI
CEO
Sam Altman
has completely abandoned
Google Search
, saying he "legitimately cannot tell you the last time I did a
search" during an explosive dinner interview with tech reporters. The admission comes as
ChatGPT
reaches 700 million weekly users and threatens to topple Google's two-decade dominance of the $175 billion search market, with
Altman
himself serving as the most high-profile convert to
AI-powered search
alternatives.
Speaking to The Verge's Command Line newsletter and tech reporters in San Francisco, Altman's personal browsing habits reflect a broader industry transformation. ChatGPT now commands 700 million weekly users and ranks as the world's fifth-largest website, processing billions of conversations that increasingly replace traditional Google queries.
OpenAI's rise signals death of traditional search
The numbers tell the story of a seismic shift underway. OpenAI's API traffic doubled within 48 hours of GPT-5's launch, while severe GPU shortages reveal overwhelming demand that traditional search engines never generated.
Altman confidently predicted ChatGPT will overtake Instagram and Facebook in
web rankings
, though he acknowledged "beating Google" presents the ultimate test. OpenAI's planned trillion-dollar data center investments signal the company's commitment to winning these search wars, as conversational AI fundamentally transforms how people discover information online.
Web publishers brace for AI-driven traffic apocalypse
The implications extend far beyond search engines.
Content creators
and digital publishers face mounting pressure as Altman predicted "people will go to fewer websites," a trend that threatens the entire web ecosystem built on clicks and page views.
Yet Altman offered publishers a lifeline, suggesting "human-created, human-endorsed, human-curated content all goes up in value dramatically." This creates a paradox where premium content becomes more valuable even as fewer people visit websites directly, forcing publishers to rethink distribution strategies in an AI-first internet.
During the wide-ranging conversation, Altman also expressed interest in acquiring
Google Chrome
if antitrust regulators force its divestiture, stating "If Chrome is really going to sell, we should take a look at it."
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Can you lose your job to AI? Identify the red flags and here are 5 things you can do to tackle job uncertainty
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This time around, it's a combination of factors, ranging from the threat of US tariffs and global economic flux to the rise of Generative AI and automation, that has had employees on edge.'While uncertainty due to geopolitics and global economic slowdown is leading to cost-cutting, we are also witnessing a correction after excessive hiring during the tech boom in the post-pandemic phase. This correction is being accelerated by the rise in artificial intelligence,' says Devashish Chakravarty, Founder, a job loss assurance company, and author of Get Hired in 30 believe that the layoffs are a deliberate move to keep pace with various changes driven by a combination of strategic, technological, and economic factors. 'Global economic uncertainties have only amplified the urgency for businesses to future-proof their operations. Many organisations are undergoing restructuring to streamline operations and reduce costs. The rise of AI and automation has accelerated this shift,' says Anupama Bhimrajka, Vice-President, Marketing, foundit, a jobs economic uncertainties have amplified the urgency for businesses to future-proof their operations.'Globally, tech and AI jobs are slated to grow the fastest in the next five years, as per a World Economic Forum study.1. Big data specialists2. Fintech and machine learning specialists4. Software and applications developers5. Security management specialists6. Data warehousing specialists7. Autonomous and electric vehicle specialists8. UI & UX designers9. Light truck or delivery services drivers1. Postal service clerks2. Bank tellers and related clerks3. Data entry clerks4. Cashiers and ticket clerks5. Administrative assistants and executive secretaries6. Printing and related trades workers7. Accounting, book-keepin,g and payroll clerks8. Material-recording and stock-keeping clerksSource: World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025Agrees Neeti Sharma, CEO, TeamLease Digital: 'While most companies are yet to see a commercial upside to the use of AI, they have started thinking about their future organisation structures in terms of learner operations, better alignment to client requirements and highly skilled teams.''Roles in mid-management, support functions, legacy technology operations, and non-core activities face the greatest risk due to automation, operational realignment, and cost-cutting measures.'Before you rush into a panic mode about an impending job crisis, experts reassure that it is only a phase of displacement and transformation. 'While the job market has witnessed a marginal dip in hiring, it continues to show resilience with a 19% year-on-year growth. Projections indicate a further 9% growth in 2025, led by sustained momentum across sectors like IT, BFSI (banking, financial services, insurance), and energy,' says this optimism, many employees are living in fear of an impending job loss following the recent layoffs as it would be a massive financial blow to the entire family, especially in cases where the individual is the sole breadwinner. Take Bengaluru-based Raj Verma, who, at 38, was laid off from his tech job last year. 'Being the only earning member, I struggled for a few months, but eventually managed to create another source of income and am financially secure now,' he you, too, are gripped by uncertainty, read on to know how to navigate this phase. We shall tell you about the jobs that are at risk and those likely to grow, help you identify the red flags to know if you are on thin ice, and ways you can secure your view of the US tariffs, global trade skirmishes, and the slowdown in overseas demand, the sectors that are most exposed to the international markets will be vulnerable to job losses and restructuring. These include IT services, manufacturing, textiles, automotive exports and other export-oriented businesses. 'Within these sectors, roles in mid-management, support functions, legacy technology operations, and non-core activities face the greatest risk due to automation, operational realignment, and cost-cutting measures,' says technology roles, such as manual testing, system maintenance, and basic coding are being realigned due to automation and AI-driven software development tools. With Gen AI tools entering mainstream workflows, basic content creation roles are being replaced or consolidated, while functions that involve routine or repetitive tasks will also become increasingly susceptible. Therefore, entry-level IT, back-office and data entry jobs are likely to dry up.'If consumer spending goes down, retail and hospitality are also likely to face demand shocks, while contractual and gig workers will suffer the highest insecurity,' says 33% year-on-year growth, skills related to artificial intelligence and machine learning have risen the however, that not all jobs are at risk. 'India's domestic services economy remains on an expansionary path, signalling robust job creation. Notably, the green energy sector is stepping into the spotlight as a fast-growing employment generator, while Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are scaling rapidly across the country,' says Bhimrajka.'While much of the world is focused on fears of AI-driven job losses, we're seeing clear signs of reinvention. Our data shows that 50% of India's fastest-growing roles today didn't even exist a decade ago, proof that AI is reshaping work, not erasing it,' says Ruchee Anand, Head, LinkedIn Talent and Learning Solutions, LINKEDIN TALENT AND LEARNING SOLUTIONS, INDIA:'Sectors like technology, media, retail and professional services are evolving rapidly, but the future will favour those who upskill, not stand still.'This means that the jobs becoming redundant due to automation are being replaced by new roles that require a different set of skills and you are employed in a vulnerable industry, it's best to be proactive and look for warning signs that your job is at risk. 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If your company is changing strategy, as is the case with several businesses now, and your skills and performance are not aligned with its objectives, you may soon find yourself on the way a contingency corpus that is equal to 6-12 months' worth of household expenses at all times. It will sustain you if you suddenly find yourself without a your main job, try to monetise skills, hobbies or interests. Identify other sources of income like rent, tuitions or baking that can help you tide over periods of income loss. Don't forget to save and invest as the employer's group health cover, buy an independent medical plan so that there's no gap period, where you and your family are without a health cover, if you were to lose your you fear job insecurity, try to keep your debt via credit card or other loans to a minimum. Do not take fresh loans. 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Take your family into confidence and slash the budget to focus only on your work involves basic skills or repetitive tasks that can be easily replaced by Gen AI tools, or you fail to adapt to the new tools, skills and changes being introduced in the company, prepare to red flag is rapid changes in the organisation structure or top hierarchy, which indicates a shift in strategic direction, and an eventual replacement or staff the company experiences a drop in new business or is finding it difficult to source projects or client orders, it could result in margin pressure and subsequent cost-cutting, potentially leading to you find yourself uncertain about your job's future, proactively managing your career is crucial.'Start by upskilling in areas that have a strong market demand, such as digital technologies, data analytics or AI-related competencies,' says Sharma. This will not only increase your employability but also keep you relevant in your existing job. 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3 hours ago
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Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
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