OpenAI’s Sam Altman admits AI is unpopular in the U.S.: It's becoming a “scapegoat” for higher electricity bills and unemployment

Lead

It has been reported that Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, acknowledged growing public resistance to artificial intelligence in the United States, saying AI is increasingly being treated as a "scapegoat" for rising electricity costs and job losses. The remark, covered by Chinese media outlet Phoenix (ifeng, 凤凰网), highlights a rare moment of candor from one of the sector’s most prominent figures as companies scramble to defend their technology amid mounting public concern.

Why people are souring on AI

Why the backlash? Energy use and labor disruption are easy targets. Critics point to the rising power demands of large AI models and automated systems as contributing to higher utility bills. Others worry that automation will hollow out middle-skill work — accounting, HR, back-office roles — even as firms tout efficiency gains. Altman’s framing — that AI is becoming a convenient explanation for complex economic problems — signals tech leaders’ awareness that technical benefits alone won’t win trust.

Political and international context

The admission comes as policymakers in the U.S., EU and elsewhere press for tighter AI oversight, and as geopolitical tensions shape supply chains for compute and chips. It has been reported that lawmakers are connecting AI’s social impacts to broader debates on industrial policy, trade controls and energy transition. For Western readers less familiar with China’s media landscape: coverage of Altman’s comments in outlets like ifeng reflects Beijing’s interest in framing global AI debates, even as Chinese companies pursue their own AI strategies under stricter domestic regulation.

What’s next

If public sentiment continues to sour, expect more visible trade-offs: slower deployment, heavier regulation, and louder demands for energy-efficient models and worker retraining programs. Will transparency and mitigation measures be enough to shift the narrative? Altman’s candid line — that AI risks becoming a scapegoat — is a challenge to both industry and government to address the tangible harms driving the unease.