New Delhi: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has opened up about how his life changed following the phenomenal success of ChatGPT, revealing that he misses the freedom, spontaneity and anonymity he enjoyed before becoming one of the most recognisable figures in the artificial intelligence industry.
During a recent appearance on Indian podcaster Raj Shamani‘s show, the 41-year-old technology entrepreneur spoke about his life before OpenAI, the demands of leading one of the world’s most prominent AI companies and the personal changes that came with its rapid growth.
Altman said that before OpenAI became a global phenomenon, he had a relatively relaxed lifestyle, enjoyed several hobbies and could make spontaneous plans with friends. Today, his schedule is tightly organised, leaving little room for the informal activities he once took for granted.
‘I was much more carefree when we started OpenAI’
Recalling his earlier years, Altman told Shamani that his life was considerably less demanding when OpenAI was established in 2015.
“I was much more carefree when we started OpenAI. I had a very easy life at the time,” he said, adding that he had several hobbies.
He also remembered being able to accept invitations at short notice and meet friends without having to plan everything in advance.
“I was like free on a random Tuesday night for dinner on short notice with my friends probably,” he recalled.
However, he said his lifestyle has changed significantly as OpenAI has grown and his responsibilities have increased.
“Now I’m incredibly precisely scheduled and I have not gotten to do anything spontaneous in a long time. And that’s very sad,” Altman said.
His comments offered a glimpse into the personal compromises that can accompany the leadership of a rapidly expanding technology company. While OpenAI’s growth has brought him international recognition, it has also changed how he spends his time and interacts with people outside work.
Coffee shop visits and anonymity are what he misses
When Shamani asked whether there had been a particular moment when Altman realised that his old lifestyle was no longer possible, the OpenAI chief spoke about losing his anonymity.
He explained that one of the things he misses most is the ability to sit alone in a coffee shop without attracting attention.
“People ask me: What do you really miss about your old life?” Altman said, recalling a previous conversation in which he identified this as something he particularly longed for.
“The last time someone asked me that, I realized what I really miss is like going to sit in a coffee shop on a Saturday afternoon,” he added.
Altman explained that before OpenAI’s success, he could visit a coffee shop, catch up on emails or browse the internet without being recognised.
Such ordinary activities have become difficult because of his public profile. He said that he has not been able to enjoy that kind of anonymous coffee shop visit for years.
Security arrangements have changed everyday life
Shamani further asked whether Altman could still visit a coffee shop if he wanted to.
The OpenAI CEO clarified that it was technically possible, but the experience would no longer be the same because of the security arrangements accompanying him.
“I could do it, but there would be two security guys sitting at the tables next to me and I would not just be an anonymous person in the world,” he said.
His response highlighted how public recognition and security requirements have affected even simple everyday activities.
For Altman, the loss is not necessarily about being unable to visit a particular place. Rather, it is about no longer being able to enjoy an ordinary outing without the presence of security personnel or the possibility of being recognised.
The conversation also showed a more personal side of the technology entrepreneur, who is generally in the public eye for OpenAI’s developments, artificial intelligence research and business decisions.
From AI research organisation to global technology company
OpenAI was founded in 2015, with Altman among its co-founders. The organisation initially set out to advance artificial intelligence research, with an emphasis on developing AI that benefits humanity.
Its public profile expanded dramatically after the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. The conversational AI tool brought generative artificial intelligence into mainstream use, attracting millions of users and accelerating interest in AI applications across education, business, healthcare and research.
Under Altman’s leadership, OpenAI has expanded its products and research activities, while the growing influence of artificial intelligence has made the company a major player in the global technology industry.
During his conversation with Shamani, Altman also discussed artificial intelligence’s potential contribution to scientific research, India’s adoption of AI and the company’s internal culture.
His reflections on life before OpenAI, however, offered a different perspective on the personal impact of the company’s success.
The interview highlighted the contrast between the freedom Altman once enjoyed and the highly structured life he leads today. Despite his professional achievements, his remarks suggest that the simple pleasure of spending an afternoon anonymously at a coffee shop remains something he misses.