On Friday evening, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman released a blog post addressing both a seeming assault on his residence and a comprehensive New Yorker article that questioned his reliability.
During the early hours of Friday, a Molotov cocktail was reportedly thrown at Altman’s San Francisco home. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, and authorities later apprehended a suspect at OpenAI headquarters, where he was allegedly making threats to ignite the structure, as reported by the SF Police Department.
Although the police have not publicly named the alleged assailant, Altman mentioned that this event transpired just days following the release of “an incendiary article” concerning him. He recalled a suggestion that the timing of the article’s publication “at a time of great anxiety about AI” might escalate risks for him.
“I initially dismissed it,” Altman stated. “However, I am now awake late at night, frustrated, and contemplating that I have misjudged the impact of words and stories.”
The article referred to was an extensive investigative report co-authored by Ronan Farrow (who won a Pulitzer for reporting that revealed many of the sexual abuse allegations around Harvey Weinstein) and Andrew Marantz (who’s written extensively about technology and politics).
Farrow and Marantz reported that in discussions with over 100 individuals familiar with Altman’s professional dealings, the majority characterized him as possessing “a relentless drive for power that distinguishes him, even among industrialists who brand spaceships with their names.”
Mirroring the observations of other journalists who have profiled Altman, Farrow and Marantz indicated that numerous sources expressed doubts about his dependability. One unidentified board member commented that he blends “a strong inclination to satisfy people, to be appreciated in any interaction” with “a sociopathic disregard for the potential repercussions of misleading someone.”
In his reply, Altman stated that upon reflection, he recognizes “many accomplishments to be proud of and numerous errors.”
He identified among his errors a propensity towards “avoiding conflict,” which he admitted has “inflicted considerable distress upon both myself and OpenAI.”
“I regret my poor conduct during a dispute with our former board, which resulted in significant turmoil for the company,” Altman acknowledged, presumably referring to his dismissal and swift return as OpenAI CEO back in 2023. “Throughout OpenAI’s extraordinary journey, I’ve made numerous other errors; I am an imperfect individual navigating an immensely intricate scenario, striving for continuous improvement and always dedicated to our core mission.”
He further stated, “I apologize to those I’ve harmed and wish I had assimilated lessons more quickly.”
Altman additionally recognized what appears to be “extensive Shakespearean drama among companies in our sector,” attributing it to a “‘ring of power’ dynamic” that “drives individuals to extreme actions.”
Naturally, the appropriate approach to the ring of power involves its destruction, prompting Altman to clarify, “I don’t mean that [artificial general intelligence] is the ring itself, but instead the encompassing ideology of ‘being the sole controller of AGI.’” His suggested remedy is “to focus on making the technology widely accessible, ensuring no single entity possesses the ring.”
Altman concluded by stating his openness to “constructive criticism and discussion,” reaffirming his conviction that “advancements in technology can lead to an incredibly positive future, for your family and mine.”
“As we engage in that discussion, we ought to temper our language and methods, aiming for fewer explosions, both figuratively and literally, in fewer residences,” he commented.