OpenAI CEO Sam Altman unveils new AI agent and critiques token pricing at DevDay

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman used Tuesday's DevDay conference in San Francisco to announce a new personal AI agent called Dots and to outline the company’s broader vision for artificial intelligence. The product, which Altman said could eventually run on a dedicated device, is intended to manage notifications and routine tasks, helping users reduce reliance on smartphones.

Altman criticized the industry’s reliance on tokens – the units used to price AI model usage – calling them an inadequate metric because different models consume varying numbers of tokens for the same task. He noted that OpenAI has explored alternatives but has not yet identified a better basis for billing.

Addressing concerns about AI safety, Altman described the debate as polarized between rapid capability expansion without sufficient safeguards and calls for a complete halt to development. He advocated for a “centrist path,” urging the industry to keep safety ahead of capability while continuing progress.

When asked about employment prospects for recent graduates, Altman told a young attendee that the present moment is “the best time to be entering the job market,” arguing that predictions of widespread job loss underestimate future economic growth. He acknowledged that some occupations will disappear but emphasized opportunities for ambitious newcomers.

Altman’s remarks reflect OpenAI’s effort to balance product innovation, pricing models, safety considerations, and public perception as competition in the AI sector intensifies.