Sam Altman admits AI fears are 'justified' after Molotov attack on his San Francisco home

A 20-year-old man was arrested on Friday after allegedly hurling a Molotov cocktail at the San Francisco residence of Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI.

The San Francisco Police department noted that the incident took place around 4 am local time. The suspect is said to have thrown an “incendiary destructive device” at the property, setting part of an exterior gate on fire before fleeing the scene on foot.

However, there were no injuries reported. The City by the Bay, where innovation is the order of the day, targeting one of the most noticeable faces of artificial intelligence, poses some disturbing questions about the atmosphere around the industry.

The motive, as of now, remains unclear.

What adds another layer of concern is what followed

Police said the same individual later appeared at OpenAI’s office, where he allegedly threatened to burn down the building. Authorities have confirmed that charges are still being finalised.

Notably, this is not the first time OpenAI has found itself navigating security threats. Just last November, its headquarters was placed under lockdown following threats of violence across multiple locations in San Francisco. Demonstrations outside its Mission Bay office earlier this year have also been a soft target around AI’s rapid rise.

“We appreciate the swift response from the San Francisco Police Department and the city’s support in ensuring the safety of our employees,” the company spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the suspect is in custody and the company is cooperating with investigators.

'I am angry'

Later in the day, Altman himself responded in a personal blog post. He shared a photograph of his husband and child. He wrote that he hoped the gesture might discourage similar acts in the future, regardless of public opinion about him.

Referring to a recent “incendiary” article about him, a piece published in The New Yorker, Altman wrote, “Now I am awake in the middle of the night and angry, reflecting on how powerful words and narratives can be.”