Sam Altman Says Sacrificing Family For Work Productivity Is A 'Very Stupid Tradeoff'

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that prioritising work and productivity over family and personal relationships is a “very stupid tradeoff”, revealing how becoming a parent has fundamentally changed the way he thinks about time, work and success.

Sam Altman, 40, who welcomed his first child with husband Oliver Mulherin in February 2025, said fatherhood has reinforced his long-held belief that professional achievement should not come at the expense of loved ones. Speaking to Forbes, Sam Altman said becoming a parent has dramatically raised the threshold for what deserves his attention.

“The baseline that something has to beat for me to be willing to spend time on it is so huge now that most other things fell away,” he said.

The OpenAI chief, who oversees

one of the world’s most influential artificial intelligence companies, said parenthood has reshaped his priorities and forced him to become more selective about how he spends his time.

Productivity Routine ‘Has Fallen To Crap’

Sam Altman also acknowledged that the highly disciplined routine he once followed in pursuit of peak productivity has largely disappeared since becoming a father.

Known for his focus on sleep, exercise and nutrition, Sam Altman admitted that many of those habits have been disrupted by the realities of raising a young child.

“Now it has all fallen to crap,” he said, adding that he has come to accept that life will likely remain “chaotic for a few years.” Despite the disruption, Sam Altman suggested that the tradeoff has been more than worthwhile.

‘My Favorite Thing Ever In Life’

Describing fatherhood as transformative, Sam Altman said becoming a parent has been the most rewarding experience of his life.

“It’s my favorite thing ever in life by far,” he said, adding that the experience is “significantly underhyped.”

The OpenAI CEO said he now spends weekends with his family at a ranch in Napa, California, often in areas without mobile phone service. The deliberate disconnect allows him to step away from the constant demands of running OpenAI, which remains at the centre of the global artificial intelligence boom.

During the week, Sam Altman continues to work from San Francisco, balancing the responsibilities of leading OpenAI with the challenges of raising a young child.

Sam Altman also reflected on the difficulties of parenting while being one of the most recognisable figures in the technology industry. He said ordinary family outings can be interrupted by people approaching him with business ideas or startup pitches, making it harder to maintain normal routines.

The OpenAI chief warned against becoming isolated by fame and success, saying he actively works to avoid living inside a “bubble”. According to Sam Altman, allowing that kind of separation from everyday life can be harmful, both personally and professionally.