In Silicon Valley, prominent figures such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman share a common sentiment regarding their children’s upbringing. Despite their involvement in the tech industry, they advocate for less screen time for their kids. Altman, expressing his concerns, particularly dislikes the idea of his child becoming an “iPad kid,” referencing children excessively using Apple devices.
Altman’s apprehensions were highlighted during a discussion on the Mostly Human podcast, where he observed older kids engrossed in iPads, a sight he finds troubling. The CEO, along with his husband Oliver Mulherin, welcomed their first child, a son, through surrogacy in February 2025. Altman previously sought parenting advice using ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot, but he is in no hurry to introduce it to his child.
Rather than embracing technology early on, Altman prioritizes outdoor activities for his son, emphasizing the importance of playing in nature. This approach aligns with other tech leaders’ parenting styles, such as Microsoft’s Bill Gates delaying mobile phone access for his children until they were 14 and Apple’s Steve Jobs keeping his kids away from iPads.
Despite advocating for limited screen time, Altman envisions a future where AI tools enhance education by providing personalized, one-on-one tutoring. However, he remains cautious about potential pitfalls. Some schools have already integrated AI into their educational systems, offering innovative approaches like guaranteeing students a substantial earning by graduation or refunding parents’ tuition fees if not met.