San Francisco law enforcement apprehended an individual accused of hurling a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, as well as issuing threats outside the artificial intelligence company’s headquarters. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.
An OpenAI representative expressed gratitude for the swift response from the San Francisco Police Department and the city’s efforts to ensure employee safety. The company is actively cooperating with authorities during the ongoing investigation.
The San Francisco Police Department stated on social media that an unidentified male threw an incendiary device at a residence in the North Beach neighborhood. Following this, the suspect reportedly threatened to set a building on fire, leading to his immediate detention. Officers gathered sufficient evidence to arrest the 20-year-old suspect during their inquiry.
Details regarding the exact nature of the threats or the attack were not disclosed, and neither Altman nor OpenAI were specifically named in the police communication.
In recent times, OpenAI has faced criticism after agreeing to a partnership with the U.S. government that allows its technology to be used in classified military projects. This move sparked controversy, especially after a dispute between rival AI firm Anthropic and Washington.
Notably, a recent NBC News poll revealed that artificial intelligence currently holds less public favor than U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
