'We will have a cool demo in 2027': What Sam Altman said about OpenAI's humanoid robot and the challenges

As the artificial intelligence (AI) race heats up, with companies and governments competing for dominance, OpenAI is reportedly looking beyond AI models and consumer hardware. CEO Sam Altman has indicated that the company plans to build a humanoid robot.

According to Engadget, the OpenAI chief explained that a humanoid design makes sense because "the world is very much designed for people." Everyday objects such as doors, keyboards, and tools are built for human use, making a similar body shape a practical choice for robots navigating those environments. In his words, “matching that form factor seems good.”

When asked whether OpenAI would actually build a humanoid robot, Altman said, "We will." However, his priority is the intelligence needed to operate the robot rather than its physical design. According to Altman, questions about the humanoid robot's appearance are "less important than really figuring out ... the brain that makes the robot work." Giving a machine arms and legs will not be enough if it does not know what to do with them.