OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has pledged to donate most of his fortune to charity. Altman joins a growing list of billionaires who have dedicated a significant portion of their wealth to philanthropic causes.
The announcement comes after a tumultuous period for Altman, whose fortune is estimated by Forbes to be $1 billion, largely thanks to his investments. He was briefly ousted as CEO in November, sending shockwaves through the fast-growing artificial intelligence industry, but was later reinstated.
Altman, who initially founded OpenAI as a nonprofit research organization dedicated to safely developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity, now intends to focus his philanthropic efforts on “technology that helps create prosperity for people.” In a joint letter with her husband, tech investor Oliver Mulherin, dated May 18, Altman expressed gratitude for the difficult work and sacrifice of those who have contributed to society, saying: “We can do nothing but feel tremendous gratitude and commit to paying it forward and We will do our best to raise the scaffolding a little higher.”
The Giving Pledge, founded in 2010 by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett, aims to encourage the wealthiest people to take up philanthropy to solve pressing global problems. The initiative has attracted more than 240 signatories from 30 countries, although some critics say oversight is not sufficient to ensure donors honor their commitments.
Altman did not specify the exact causes he would support, but his track record suggests a focus on areas such as education, research and global health. His philanthropic philosophy is consistent with his professional mission at OpenAI, where he emphasized the ethical development and implementation of artificial intelligence.
Altman’s decision is part of a broader trend among technology leaders who are using their financial resources to address global challenges. In addition to Altman and Mulherin, the latest group of Giving Pledge signatories include Mercuria CEO Marco Dunand and entrepreneur Suzan Craig Dunand, who founded the Swiss foundation to accelerate the transition to net zero carbon emissions; retired value investor Robert D. Goldfarb, who plans to gift 90% of his wealth during his lifetime; investor Jahm Najafi and entrepreneur Cheryl Najafi, who recently focused their philanthropy on racial equality; and Hemant Taneja, head of technology investment firm, and developer Jessica Schantz Taneja.
(With the participation of the agency)
The announcement comes after a tumultuous period for Altman, whose fortune is estimated by Forbes to be $1 billion, largely thanks to his investments. He was briefly ousted as CEO in November, sending shockwaves through the fast-growing artificial intelligence industry, but was later reinstated.
Altman, who initially founded OpenAI as a nonprofit research organization dedicated to safely developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity, now intends to focus his philanthropic efforts on “technology that helps create prosperity for people.” In a joint letter with her husband, tech investor Oliver Mulherin, dated May 18, Altman expressed gratitude for the difficult work and sacrifice of those who have contributed to society, saying: “We can do nothing but feel tremendous gratitude and commit to paying it forward and We will do our best to raise the scaffolding a little higher.”
The Giving Pledge, founded in 2010 by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett, aims to encourage the wealthiest people to take up philanthropy to solve pressing global problems. The initiative has attracted more than 240 signatories from 30 countries, although some critics say oversight is not sufficient to ensure donors honor their commitments.
Altman did not specify the exact causes he would support, but his track record suggests a focus on areas such as education, research and global health. His philanthropic philosophy is consistent with his professional mission at OpenAI, where he emphasized the ethical development and implementation of artificial intelligence.
Altman’s decision is part of a broader trend among technology leaders who are using their financial resources to address global challenges. In addition to Altman and Mulherin, the latest group of Giving Pledge signatories include Mercuria CEO Marco Dunand and entrepreneur Suzan Craig Dunand, who founded the Swiss foundation to accelerate the transition to net zero carbon emissions; retired value investor Robert D. Goldfarb, who plans to gift 90% of his wealth during his lifetime; investor Jahm Najafi and entrepreneur Cheryl Najafi, who recently focused their philanthropy on racial equality; and Hemant Taneja, head of technology investment firm, and developer Jessica Schantz Taneja.
(With the participation of the agency)
