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Technology|April 6, 2026|2 min read

Interviews with Sam Altman and 100+ people on if he can be trusted amid allegations of consistent lying and more: some defend him as others call him a sociopath

New interviews and closely guarded documents shed light on the persistent doubts about the head of OpenAI. An 18-month New Yorker investigation examines whether Sam Altman can be trusted as he potentially controls our technological future.

#Sam Altman#OpenAI#artificial intelligence#corporate governance#tech leadership#investigation#trustworthiness#AI safety

Sam Altman Trust Investigation

A comprehensive 18-month investigation by The New Yorker has examined whether OpenAI CEO Sam Altman can be trusted, amid allegations of consistent lying and concerning behavior patterns.

Investigation Details

The investigation, conducted by Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz, involved:

  • Interviews with Sam Altman and over 100 other people
  • Review of never-before-disclosed internal memos
  • Over 200 pages of documents related to a close colleague
  • Extensive private communications

Key Findings

The investigation reveals persistent doubts about Altman's trustworthiness:

  • Some sources defend him while others characterize him as a sociopath
  • Questions raised about his honesty and reliability
  • Concerns about his influence given OpenAI's potential impact on the future
  • Multiple sources question whether he can be trusted with such significant technological power

Industry Response

The profile has generated significant discussion across the tech industry, with observers noting that doubts about Altman's character have been apparent for some time. Critics raise concerns about how artificial general intelligence can be properly "aligned" if the people building it struggle with basic trust issues regarding their leadership.

Broader Implications

The investigation comes at a crucial time as OpenAI continues to develop increasingly powerful AI systems, raising questions about corporate governance and accountability in the AI industry.

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