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Wednesday 8 April 2026

New Yorker investigation raises questions about OpenAI’s Sam Altman

Reporters unearthed a consistent pattern of alleged deception

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A New Yorker investigation has unearthed evidence that senior OpenAI executives questioned Sam Altman’s trustworthiness. It reports on secret company memos compiled before Altman was briefly ousted as OpenAI’s CEO in 2023. According to the New Yorker, they allege that Altman misrepresented facts to board members and executives and made misleading statements about safety measures. “Lying” topped the list in one document detailing the alleged patterns of Altman’s behaviour. The investigation sheds light on the power struggle at the top of a company that was initially founded as a nonprofit focused on developing AI ethically. But it also raises fundamental questions about whether Altman can be trusted to lead an organisation that may reshape humanity. He has disputed the claims made in the story.

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