Altman Faces X Backlash Over Balaji Remarks
An X post uses an unconfirmed screenshot to question Altman's Balaji friendship claim, though his own words to Carlson included "not a close friend."
Read the storySam Altman
Co-founder & CEO, OpenAI
Sam Altman is an entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Loopt and led Y Combinator before becoming OpenAI’s CEO.
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At a glance
Sam Altman is an entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Loopt and led Y Combinator before becoming OpenAI’s CEO. His career connects startup building and venture investment with the development and deployment of AI systems, including ChatGPT.
- Current role
- Co-founder & CEO, OpenAI
- Born
- 22 April 1985
- Known for
- OpenAI; Y Combinator; Loopt
- Previously
- Y Combinator president, 2014–2019
- Coverage
- AI research; products; startup investment
Sources checked . Selected career milestones and biographical references.
Career, in context.
Selected milestones, newest first. Explore earlier career below.
OpenAI updates its structure
OpenAI announces the Foundation and Group PBC structure; its governance overview lists Altman as CEO.
Source: OpenAIReturns as OpenAI CEO
After the November leadership crisis, OpenAI announces his return alongside a new initial board.
Source: OpenAIOpenAI introduces ChatGPT
The company releases ChatGPT as a free research preview. This is a company milestone during his leadership.
Source: OpenAILeads OpenAI as CEO
The OpenAI LP announcement identifies Altman as CEO as the organisation introduces its capped-profit structure.
Source: OpenAI
Show earlier careerHide earlier career · 4 milestones
More than 10 years ago.
Helps launch OpenAI
OpenAI is publicly introduced as a nonprofit AI research company, with Altman as a co-chair.
Source: OpenAIBecomes president of Y Combinator
Paul Graham announces Altman as his successor to lead the accelerator.
Source: Y CombinatorLoopt is acquired
Green Dot acquires Loopt, closing the first chapter of Altman’s startup career.
Source: Y CombinatorCo-founds Loopt
The location-based mobile startup joins Y Combinator’s first summer batch.
Source: Y Combinator
The latest on Sam Altman
Newest firstRelated reporting
Briefs, articles and relevant sections, newest first. Explore older coverage below.
More coverage
1 min read · Members
Man Sues Altman Over ChatGPT Poisoning Plot
A North Carolina man alleges ChatGPT helped his wife plan to poison him, and accuses Sam Altman of rushing GPT-4o past his safety team.
1 min read · Members
Huang Wants AI Safety Talks With China
Jensen Huang, a leading voice against slowing AI, says Nvidia must work with Chinese AI firms on safety, with Britain as convener.
1 min read · Members
Gates Calls AI the Most Dangerous Invention
Gates calls AI the most dangerous invention yet, says the near-term threat is bad actors, expects cyber surprises within a year and wants regulation.
1 min read · Members
Thiel Says Obama, Pope Exploit AI Fears
Peter Thiel says Obama and the pope exploit fear of AI for popularity, while his own hedge fund holds $419 million riding AI's power demand.
6 min read · Members
Europe's Sovereign AI Speaks Chinese
Plus: Musk Kisses the Ring, Sam Altman's Safety Was a Speech
6 min read · Members
Slovenia Runs AI Now
Plus: OpenAI Is A Cover Band, Zuckerberg Is Selling Trust
6 min read · Members
900 Billion Agents Will Eat the Internet
Plus: The Brake Is for Other People, AI's First Guardrail Is a Utility Bill
10 min read · Members
The Labs Begged. Nobody Paused
Three labs asked the industry to slow down. The market has already answered.
7 min read · Members
The AI King Needs No Guardrails
Plus: Nobody Runs the Flagships, Even China Calls Their Bluff
