OpenAI’s co-founder and CEO, Sam Altman, has expressed his support for Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian tech workers who feel uncomfortable and unsafe in sharing their experiences amidst the ongoing armed conflict in Israel and Palestine. Altman, a U.S.-born Jew, acknowledged that he, as well as other Jews, are targets of antisemitism, which he considers a concerning global issue. However, he expressed gratitude for the support he has received from individuals in the tech industry.
Acknowledging Antisemitism and Addressing Equality
In a recent post on Elon Musk’s social platform X, Altman admitted that he had underestimated the degree of antisemitism, especially within the American Left. Recognizing this, he emphasized the importance of treating Jews and Muslims equally, particularly when it comes to humor, even in AI chatbot interactions. Altman’s statement highlights the significance of equal representation and fair treatment of different religious and cultural groups in the tech industry.
OpenAI’s Stance Amid the Conflict
Altman’s support for Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab tech workers is noteworthy, considering the limited number of high-profile statements from tech leaders regarding the ongoing conflict. This stands in contrast to the military campaign undertaken by Israel against the terrorist organization Hamas, located in Palestine’s Gaza Strip. Hamas has been responsible for a series of violent acts against Israelis, leading to significant casualties. Israel’s military strikes, predominantly aerial attacks, have resulted in the loss of numerous Palestinian lives, including a staggering number of children, and the displacement of a significant population.
The conflict has also had consequences for the thriving AI industry, both in Israel and globally. VentureBeat has previously reported on the impact of the conflict on the industry and the larger political fallout, such as the controversy surrounding Web Summit co-founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrave, who made statements implying Israel’s military was committing “war crimes.” The controversy resulted in the resignation of Cosgrave after leading sponsors withdrew their support for the Web Summit.
Within OpenAI itself, there are diverse opinions on the conflict, as is expected in any organization of medium-to-large size. Altman’s public support for Palestinians may create tensions with others within the firm and the broader tech industry. However, it serves as an important statement, demonstrating the recognition of the experiences and concerns of marginalized groups amidst the ongoing conflict.
