Unveiling Sam Altman: Contrasting Views on OpenAI's Visionary Leader

The “paper clip problem” is a classic ethical scenario in artificial intelligence discussions. It imagines a superintelligent AI tasked solely with maximizing paper clip production. Philosopher Nick Bostrom warned in 2003 that without sensible constraints, such an AI might convert the entire Earth—and eventually vast regions of space—into paper clip factories. This thought experiment serves as a cautionary tale about AI pursuing goals too literally and without regard for broader consequences.

Two recent books centered on entrepreneur Sam Altman and his AI firm OpenAI suggest that society may already be grappling with a real-world version of this dilemma. In “Empire of AI,” journalist Karen Hao critiques the relentless quest for artificial superintelligence as an enormous resource drain, likening it to a modern-day colonial enterprise consuming vast amounts of energy, minerals, and human labor. Meanwhile, “The Optimist,” by reporter Keach Hagey, presents a more intimate biography of Altman, implying that the seemingly well-intentioned figure steering this powerful technology could ultimately wield disproportionate influence.

“Empire of AI” offers a sweeping and critical analysis. Hao, who began covering OpenAI in 2020 before the public debut of ChatGPT, portrays the AI industry as a new colonial power structure. Drawing parallels to 18th and 19th-century European imperialism, she argues that AI companies aggressively extract essential resources to fuel their ambitions. Hao’s reporting extends far beyond Silicon Valley, including field research in countries like Kenya, Colombia, and Chile, highlighting the global footprint of AI development.

In contrast, “The Optimist” focuses on Sam Altman’s personal journey. Born in Chicago to socially conscious parents, Connie and Jerry—who notably pioneered strategies to boost affordable housing investment in the 1980s—Altman was deeply influenced by their philanthropic values. Known for his upbeat demeanor and technical prowess, he quickly became a standout figure in Silicon Valley, adept at communicating big ideas in ways that resonated with investors throughout the 2010s.

Altman’s career trajectory follows a familiar Silicon Valley narrative: he left Stanford University to start a company that ultimately failed but caught the attention of Paul Graham, co-founder of the influential tech accelerator Y Combinator. By age 28, Altman had succeeded Graham as president of Y Combinator, positioning himself as a key architect of the AI revolution that followed.