Sam Altman Says AI May Soon Be Sold Like Electricity on Meter

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said artificial intelligence could soon function like a basic utility, similar to electricity or water, where users pay only for what they use.

The remark, made during a discussion at the BlackRock U.S. Infrastructure Summit, has triggered debate about how AI services may be priced and controlled in the coming years.

Altman said that in the near future “intelligence” could be delivered as an on-demand service, similar to electricity supplied through a power grid.

Under this model, individuals and businesses would access AI technology when required and pay according to usage instead of owning the technology directly.

• Sam Altman says AI could be sold like electricity
• OpenAI CEO predicts metered AI services for businesses
• Debate grows over AI as future digital infrastructure

“We see a future where intelligence is a utility, like electricity or water,” Altman said, adding that people could “buy it from us on a meter.” The approach suggests AI tools could become part of everyday infrastructure, supporting applications across sectors such as healthcare, education, finance and manufacturing.

The idea reflects how AI services are already delivered through cloud platforms. Today, many companies charge subscription fees or usage-based pricing depending on computing power and the number of queries processed. Altman’s comments suggest the system could evolve further into a metered AI service, similar to electricity billing.

The statement has also drawn criticism online. Some commentators argue that treating intelligence as a commodity could concentrate influence among a few technology firms that control AI infrastructure, data and computing systems. Others have raised concerns about pricing, access and the broader impact of commercialising intelligence.

The discussion also points to the infrastructure required to run modern AI systems. Large language models and other advanced AI tools depend on specialised data centres, powerful processors and large volumes of electricity. As demand for AI grows, technology companies are investing billions of dollars to expand data centres and computing capacity.

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Altman’s remarks underline a broader shift in the technology sector, where AI is increasingly viewed as essential digital infrastructure. If this model develops, artificial intelligence could become a service people access daily, much like electricity that powers homes, businesses and industries.