OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says younger users treat ChatGPT as a “life advisor” or even an “operating system,” with college students potentially integrating it more deeply than older cohorts. Altman made the comments at Sequoia Capital’s AI Ascent event, comparing older generations’ use of the tool to search and describing how younger users set up complex workflows and ask the model for decision support. Altman pointed to OpenAI reporting that more than one-third of 18-to-24 year olds use ChatGPT, and said the product’s memory capabilities help support that adoption. He also noted that users rely on it for a wide range of guidance, including relationship, business, and medical questions. The remarks come alongside concerns raised by researchers about safety, verification, and ethics in high-stakes advice contexts. The article cites studies warning about the need for caution and safeguards when using chatbots for safety-related information. For higher education stakeholders, the operational implication is clear: teaching and academic support offices are increasingly dealing with students who view AI as a primary tool for day-to-day decision-making and information processing.