OpenAI CEO Sam Altman published a blog post on Friday evening responding to both an apparent attack on his San Francisco home and an in-depth New Yorker profile that raised questions about his trustworthiness. The San Francisco Police Department reported that a suspect was arrested at OpenAI headquarters after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at Altman's residence early Friday morning; no one was injured.
In his response, Altman linked the incident to the recent publication of "an incendiary article" about him, stating he had "underestimated the power of words and narratives." The article in question was an investigative piece by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz, based on interviews with more than 100 sources.
Profile Raises Questions of Trust
The New Yorker profile suggested many sources questioned Altman's trustworthiness. One anonymous former OpenAI board member described him as having "a sociopathic lack of concern for the consequences that may come from deceiving someone," combined with a desire to be liked. The reporters characterised Altman as possessing "a relentless will to power."
In his blog post, Altman acknowledged "a bunch of mistakes," including a tendency towards being "conflict-averse," which he said had "caused great pain for me and OpenAI." He specifically referenced his handling of the conflict with OpenAI's previous board in 2023, which led to his temporary removal and rapid reinstatement as CEO.
Call for De-escalation in AI Debate
Altman attributed much of the drama in the artificial intelligence field to a "'ring of power' dynamic" that "makes people do crazy things." He clarified that he did not see artificial general intelligence (AGI) itself as the ring, but rather the philosophy of seeking to control it. His proposed solution is "to orient towards sharing the technology with people broadly."
He concluded by welcoming "good-faith criticism and debate" but urged for a de-escalation of rhetoric. "While we have that debate, we should de-escalate the rhetoric and tactics and try to have fewer explosions in fewer homes, figuratively and literally," Altman wrote.
The suspect in the attack on Altman's home has not been publicly identified by authorities. Altman reiterated his belief in the potential for technological progress to create a positive future, stating he is "a flawed person in the center of an exceptionally complex situation, trying to get a little better each year."