Sam Altman, OpenAI’s co-founder and CEO, has addressed the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine. He expressed support for Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian tech workers who might feel uneasy or unsafe sharing their experiences.
Altman, a U.S.-born Jew, acknowledged the rise of antisemitism globally, considering it a significant problem. He appreciated the support he received from the industry but admitted to being wrong about the extent of antisemitism on the American Left.
Responding to a follower’s question, Altman emphasized the need for equality in ChatGPT’s treatment of Jews and Muslims regarding humor. This comes after criticism, including from writer Mona Chalabi, highlighting ChatGPT’s differential responses to prompts about Israel and Palestine.
Altman’s statement is notable, given the scarcity of high-profile tech leaders openly supporting Palestinians, Muslims, and Arabs during Israel’s military campaign against Hamas. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. Altman’s stance contrasts with other perspectives within OpenAI, such as Tal Broda, Head of Research Platform, who faced criticism for supporting Israel’s military actions on social media.
In the broader context, Altman’s public support for Palestinians stands out as a significant political statement from a tech leader, potentially creating internal and industry-wide tensions.
