Board member labels Sam Altman a ‘sociopath’ in harsh insider report: ‘He disregards the truth’

Allegations Against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, finds himself embroiled in controversy following a revealing report from former associates and current board members who have labeled him a sociopath and a liar.

Altman, 40, has yet to publicly address the accusations detailed in the report, some of which were shared in a confidential memo to OpenAI’s board.

According to The New Yorker, chief scientist Ilya Sutskever sent a memo to board members in 2023. This memo began with a list indicating a “consistent pattern” in Altman’s behavior, with “lie” being the first point noted.

The memo further claims that Altman has misrepresented and misled both executives and board members regarding safety measures. And, well, it gets even more alarming.

“He is not bound by the truth,” one board member reportedly stated. Another described him as possessing two contrasting traits: a strong need for approval and an unsettling indifference to the risks that come with deceit.

The report also highlighted that this was not the first time Altman was branded “antisocial”; a warning about him came from programmer Aaron Swartz shortly before his 2013 passing. Swartz, who had previously collaborated with Altman at Y Combinator, cautioned a friend saying, “You need to understand that you can never trust Sam. He’s a sociopath. He’ll do anything.”

Sutskever also expressed concerns, suggesting that Altman shouldn’t hold significant power, stating, “I don’t think Sam should have his finger on the button.”

Despite the serious nature of these claims, some individuals have insisted that critiques against Altman are driven by ambitions of those hoping to take his place.

Interestingly, neutral perspectives, while present, did little to enhance Altman’s image in the report. A fellow tech executive remarked, “He’s incredibly persuasive. It’s like a Jedi mind trick. He’s just next level.”

Amid these issues, OpenAI is reportedly preparing to launch a superintelligence. Altman has indicated that this could be so transformative that a new social contract will become necessary.

Altman has voiced concerns over potential significant job losses, cyber threats, and social unrest stemming from advancements in AI. He has proposed a new agreement involving a public wealth fund, taxation on “automated labor,” a 32-hour work week, and a “right to AI.” This aligns with earlier discussions he had about regulating AI usage akin to utilities like electricity and water.