Newsletters
San Francisco police arrested a 20-year-old man early Friday after he threw a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, igniting an exterior gate at Altman’s residence in the North Beach neighborhood.
No injuries were reported in the attack, which occurred shortly after 4 a.m. local time (11.00 GMT). OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, confirmed that Altman’s home was targeted.
Officers responded to reports of an attempted arson at the property’s gate. According to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), an unidentified man threw an incendiary device at the home and fled on foot.
The suspect was not apprehended at the scene. About an hour later, he appeared outside OpenAI’s San Francisco headquarters and threatened to "burn down the building," according to police.
Responding officers identified him as the same individual from the earlier incident and detained him.
An SFPD officer declined to confirm the suspect’s custody status or whether formal charges had been filed, citing an ongoing investigation.
An OpenAI spokeswoman confirmed both the attack on Altman’s residence and the subsequent threats against the company’s headquarters.
"Thankfully, no one was hurt," the spokeswoman said. "We deeply appreciate how quickly SFPD responded and the support from the city in helping keep our employees safe."
In a separate statement, OpenAI noted that the same individual made threats at its San Francisco headquarters and stated it is cooperating with law enforcement.
In a rare post on his personal blog, Altman shared a photo of his husband and their baby, describing it as an effort to discourage further violence.
He addressed individuals with anti-technology views directly while reaffirming his broader beliefs.
"I empathize with anti-technology sentiments and clearly technology isn't always good for everyone," Altman wrote. "But overall, I believe technological progress can make the future unbelievably good for your family and mine."
The OpenAI chief also called for a de-escalation of rhetoric surrounding artificial intelligence.
The incident reflects a broader pattern of hostility toward Altman and OpenAI as the company’s public profile has grown.
Critics have expressed concern over OpenAI’s decision to provide technology to the U.S. Department of Defense, a move that has faced sustained opposition from activists who view AI as a threat to society.
The motive for Friday’s attack had not been determined at the time of publication.
Altman is among the most prominent figures in the global technology industry. OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT in late 2022 sparked an industry-wide race to develop and deploy AI tools, attracting hundreds of billions of dollars in annual investment.
The company has acknowledged that AI is likely to cause significant workforce displacement as its capabilities expand.
Earlier this week, OpenAI proposed several policies to address potential negative effects of AI, including job training programs, upskilling initiatives, and higher taxes on corporations and capital gains.
The scale of the company involved in Friday’s incident highlights the significance of the AI industry’s direction.
OpenAI was valued at $852 billion after a recent funding round that raised $122 billion.
These figures reflect rising computing costs and ongoing questions about the company’s ability to generate sufficient revenue.
ChatGPT is currently the leading consumer AI platform, with over 900 million weekly active users and about 50 million paid subscribers.
According to the company, use of its online search function has tripled in the past year.
Altman is a billionaire with properties in several locations, but his primary residence is in San Francisco, where OpenAI was founded and continues to operate.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
