Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has raised concerns about recent actions by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) saying that the agency’s approach has gone “too far” and needs clearer limits. Altman has condemned the recent Minnesota killing in an internal Slack message, according to a Business Insider report. In the memo, Sam Altman said that there is an important difference between deporting violent criminals and what is happening now. What’s happening with ICE is going too far,” Altman wrote, adding “There is a big difference between deporting violent criminals and what’s happening now, and we need to get the distinction right. He said the company aims to stay consistent with its values and avoid reacting to shifting trends. Instead, Altman said OpenAI will focus on trying to “do the right thing,” engage with leaders, push for its values, and speak up clearly when needed.
“I love the US and its values of democracy and freedom and will be supportive of the country however I can; OpenAI will too. But part of loving the country is the American duty to push back against overreach. In the memo, Sam Altman also clarified how OpenAI plans to handle sensitive political and social issues. He noted that OpenAI did not adopt extreme positions when they were popular in the past and will not make what he described as performative statements now. What’s happening with ICE is going too far. There is a big difference between deporting violent criminals and what’s happening now, and we need to get the distinction right.