OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Expresses Support for Palestinians and Muslims in the Tech Industry

OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman has addressed the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Palestine, expressing his support for Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian tech workers who feel unsafe or uncomfortable sharing their experiences.

Altman, who is a U.S.-born Jew, shared his views on Elon Musk’s platform X, highlighting the rise of antisemitism, which he described as a "significant and growing problem globally." He expressed gratitude for the support he receives from others in the tech industry.

Almost a month ago, Altman admitted on X that he had underestimated the level of antisemitism, particularly on the American Left. In a recent response to a follower, he emphasized that OpenAI's AI chatbot, ChatGPT, should treat both Jews and Muslims equally in matters of humor.

ChatGPT has faced criticism from notable figures, including UK-Iraqi writer Mona Chalabi, for allegedly favoring Israel in its responses to queries about the conflict.

Altman's statement stands out as one of the few high-profile endorsements of Palestinians, Muslims, and Arabs from tech leaders amid Israel's ongoing military actions against Hamas. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched attacks on Israelis, resulting in over 1,100 deaths and at least 240 hostages. Israel’s military response, primarily through airstrikes, has claimed the lives of over 21,000 Palestinians, including more than 5,000 children, and displaced approximately 1.8 million people.

The impact of these events extends to the tech industry; reports have highlighted how the conflict has affected Israel's burgeoning AI sector. The political fallout has also been substantial, exemplified by the controversy surrounding Paddy Cosgrave, co-founder and CEO of Web Summit, who faced backlash for implying that Israel was committing "war crimes." Cosgrave subsequently resigned as several major sponsors withdrew from the event.

Altman’s comments come in the wake of a recent controversy involving Tal Broda, Head of Research Platform at OpenAI, who expressed support for Israel's military actions on X, prompting condemnation from those advocating for Palestinian rights.

The diverse opinions within OpenAI reflect the complex perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Altman's public support for Palestinians marks a significant political stance among tech leaders since the events of October 7, potentially placing him at odds with others in his company and the broader tech community.