OpenAI chief Sam Altman denies sister's sexual abuse accusations
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Updated: January 8, 2025 @ 10:24 am
Denial of Allegations
Open AI CEO Sam Altman has denied allegations made by his sister, Annie Altman, accusing him of childhood sexual abuse. In a letter co-signed by his mother and two brothers and published on social platform X, Altman addressed the accusations.
"Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, especially Sam," the letter stated. "Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her well-being. Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult."
Background and Response
Altman, known as one of Silicon Valley's charismatic figures, gained global fame with the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, sparking advancements in AI research. As a billionaire entrepreneur, Altman is committed to developing a 'general' AI that benefits humanity.
The Altman family expressed their efforts to support Annie, providing financial assistance and ensuring ongoing support. Despite this, they mentioned Annie's continued demands for more money, leading to their public response to her legal complaint.
Rebuttal and Allegations
Addressing the specific allegations, the family refuted Annie's claims of childhood sexual abuse by Sam. They highlighted the evolution of her accusations over time, including incidents where Sam was over 18, deeming all claims as false.
Annie's complaint alleges that the assaults occurred between 1997 and 2006 when she was three years old until her teenage years. Described in a 2023 report as an artist battling depression and familial discord, Annie reportedly supported herself through online sex work.
Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
