Sam Altman Responds to Molotov Cocktail Attacks: Understanding Society’s Fear of AI, Calling for the Decentralization of Technological Power

Gate News message, April 11, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted in response to a Molotov cocktail attack incident, saying he underestimated the real impact of public narratives and emotions in the backdrop of AI anxiety, and sharing rare public family photos. Altman said he understands society’s fear and unease about the rapid development of AI. He said they are currently in one of the most dramatic technological changes in human history, and the associated risks are no longer limited to model alignment issues but have risen to systemic challenges at the societal level. Altman said that AI power should not be concentrated in a few institutions, and that it should be more broadly distributed through technological democratization and institutional constraints. He believes that the competition around AGI has evolved into a contest for power, and that, similar to the temptation of a power ring, it may drive extreme behavior. The solution, he said, lies in expanding technical accessibility and avoiding any single entity from controlling key capabilities. In addition, Altman acknowledged that there were mistakes in corporate governance and handling conflicts, including decision-making issues during a conflict with the board of directors, and he apologized for past conduct. He reiterated that he had previously rejected Elon Musk’s demand for control of OpenAI, saying that this choice ensured an independent development path for the company. Earlier reports: Sam Altman’s residence was attacked with a Molotov cocktail.