How I Write

Sam Altman: OpenAI Founder Reveals His Writing System | How I Write

Sep 25, 2024

Join Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, as he shares his passion for writing and its impact on clarity and creativity. He reveals how AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping traditional writing and communication methods, and discusses the evolving role of writers in a tech-driven world. Altman reflects on his personal writing journey, lessons learned from Paul Graham, and the delicate nature of nurturing fragile ideas. Discover how structured thinking and effective note-taking can elevate your writing, even in an age dominated by artificial intelligence.

48:38

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Sam Altman

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Quick takeaways

Sam Altman emphasizes that writing not only clarifies thoughts but also enhances creativity and productivity through the integration of AI tools like ChatGPT.

The podcast highlights the need for educational adaptations to embrace AI in writing, promoting it as a collaborative partner for refining students' ideas rather than simply completing assignments.

Deep dives

The Future of Writing with AI Tools

The development of AI tools, particularly language models like ChatGPT, will transform how people approach writing and communication. Individuals will not just use AI to generate text, but they will incorporate it into their writing process as a tool for idea exploration and refinement. There is a notion that writing with AI can help clarify thoughts, enabling users to articulate their ideas more clearly and engage with the writing process in new ways. As technology progresses, these tools will likely lead to the creation of writing methods that enhance creativity and productivity beyond traditional approaches.

Sam Altman: Prioritize Thought Over Productivity

00:42

Seek the Spark, Then Ignite with Purpose

01:44

Nurture Fragile Ideas to Foster Creativity

03:18

Writing Shapes Thinking, Even in an AI Era

01:19

Intro

3min

The Evolution of Writing in the AI Age

8min

The Art of Clear Thinking and Communication

15min

Exploring AI and the Art of Writing

7min

Nurturing Fragile Ideas and Deliberate Decision-Making

2min

The Fragility of Writing: Clarity and Creativity

9min

The Art of Note-Taking and Writing Tools

5min

You know him as the CEO of OpenAI — but did you know that Sam Altman is an avid writer?

As one of today’s most successful entrepreneurs, Sam champions the tremendous value of writing: how it clarifies your thinking, expands your ideas, and levels-up your life in every sense, both personally and professionally. Plus, he has a love for the creative. (Have you ever met someone who can recite Percy Bysshe Shelley poems from memory? Well, Sam can.)

In this episode, we discuss how Sam uses ChatGPT in his daily life; how LLMs are changing the future of writing; what it means to be a novelist in the age of technology; and Sam’s best-learned writing lessons from Paul Graham. If you want to learn how the king of ChatGPT writes, this episode is for you.

SPEAKER LINKS:

Website: https://openai.com/

Blog: https://blog.samaltman.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sama

WRITE OF PASSAGE:

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PODCAST LINKS:

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv