Sam Altman Responds to ‘Incendiary’ New Yorker Article After Attack on His Home

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has published a blog post addressing both a recent attack on his home and a critical New Yorker profile that questioned his trustworthiness.

Incident and Response

Early Friday morning, an individual allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at Altman's San Francisco residence. Fortunately, no one was harmed. The suspect was later apprehended at OpenAI headquarters, where they were reportedly threatening to set the building ablaze.

Altman noted that this incident occurred shortly after the publication of a "highly inflammatory article" about him. He acknowledged that he had initially dismissed concerns that the article, released during a period of significant public anxiety surrounding AI, could increase his personal risk. However, he stated that the attack made him realize he had "underestimated the power of words and narratives."

The New Yorker Profile

The article in question, a detailed investigative piece by Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz, featured interviews with over 100 individuals familiar with Altman's professional conduct. Many sources reportedly described Altman as possessing a "relentless will to power" that distinguishes him even among industry leaders. The profile also highlighted concerns about his trustworthiness, with one anonymous board member suggesting he combines a desire to please with a "sociopathic lack of concern for the consequences that may come from deceiving someone."

Altman's Self-Reflection

In his response, Altman reflected on his past actions, acknowledging both accomplishments and mistakes. He identified a tendency towards being "conflict-averse" as a significant error that caused pain to himself and OpenAI. He specifically mentioned his handling of a past conflict with the previous board, which resulted in a period of turmoil for the company.

Altman described himself as a "flawed person in the center of an exceptionally complex situation, trying to get a little better each year, always working for the mission." He apologized to those he may have hurt and expressed a wish to have learned more quickly.

The "Ring of Power" and AGI

Altman also commented on the intense competition within the AI field, attributing it to a "'ring of power' dynamic" that can lead individuals to act irrationally. He proposed that the solution to this dynamic, particularly concerning Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), is to avoid any single entity controlling it. Instead, he advocated for broadly sharing the technology and ensuring that "no one has the ring."

Conclusion

Altman concluded by welcoming constructive criticism and debate, reaffirming his belief in the potential of technological progress to improve the future. He urged for a de-escalation of rhetoric and tactics, aiming to prevent further literal and figurative "explosions in fewer homes."