Molotov attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home leads to arrest
‘We should de-escalate the rhetoric and tactics and try to have fewer explosions,’ Altman wrote
Police in the United States have arrested a man for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home and for making threats outside the artificial intelligence start-up’s headquarters.
In a social media post, the San Francisco Police Department said an unknown man threw an incendiary device at a North Beach residence at 4.12am on Friday and then escaped on foot.
The 20-year-old suspect was detained about an hour later after police received a call about a man threatening to burn down another building. Police did not immediately comment on the suspect’s potential motive.
“Thankfully, no one was hurt. We deeply appreciate how quickly SFPD responded and the support from the city in helping keep our employees safe,” OpenAI said in a statement, adding that it was assisting law enforcement agencies with their investigation.
The incident came as OpenAI faces intense pressure. The company recently faced backlash over its move to strike a deal with the US government to let it use its technology in classified military operations, after rival Anthropic and Washington got into a dispute.