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Sam Altman may control our future – can he be trusted?

newyorker.com

April 6, 2026

80 min read

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83/100

Summary

In fall 2023, Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s chief scientist, sent secret memos to board members discussing concerns about the leadership of CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman. Sutskever had previously considered both men friends and officiated Brockman's wedding in 2019.

Key Takeaways

Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI's chief scientist, expressed concerns about CEO Sam Altman's trustworthiness and capability to lead the company, suggesting he misrepresented facts and internal safety protocols.
The OpenAI board was empowered to remove Altman if he was deemed unreliable, leading to his dismissal during a video call while he was attending a Formula 1 race.
OpenAI was founded with a nonprofit structure to prioritize humanity's safety over profit, emphasizing the need for a leader of high integrity in the development of potentially dangerous AI technology.
Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, was unaware of Altman's impending removal until moments before it occurred, highlighting the surprise and confusion surrounding the decision.

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Community Sentiment

Mixed

Positives

The investigation provides a detailed look into important topics surrounding AI governance, highlighting the need for more thorough reporting in this area.
Critiques should focus on the underlying mechanics of AI systems rather than just the personalities involved, emphasizing the systemic issues at play.

Concerns

Concerns about Sam Altman's history raise questions about trust in leadership, especially given the potential societal impacts of AI.
The underlying threat posed by AI to society and human freedom remains significant, regardless of individual leaders, indicating a systemic risk.