OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sorry he didn’t report Canada shooting suspect
OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman apologized to a Canadian community for failing to alert police about the mass murder suspect’s conversations with his chatbot.
Authorities say 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar killed eight people, including schoolchildren, in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, before committing suicide in February.
“I deeply regret that we did not alert law enforcement about the banned account in June,” Altman said in a letter Thursday. “While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered.”
On Friday, British Columbia Premier David Eby posted the letter on social media.
The letter came later Wall StreetJournalCiting people familiar with the matter, Van Rootselaar reportedly spoke to ChatGPT about gun violence this year, sparking a debate among OpenAI employees about whether to alert Canadian law enforcement.
OpenAI banned the user’s account but decided not to report it to the police after looking at whether the activity would be considered an imminent and serious risk of physical harm to others.
Tech companies have faced increased scrutiny in the wake of mass shootings over how criminals use their tools to plan attacks or broadcast murders. But the rise of AI chatbots that quickly answer questions and produce content also means people are sharing their darkest thoughts online. While AI companies are now engaged in debates about balancing public safety and privacy, they are also grappling with new lawsuits and investigations.
In March, the family of a hospitalized Tumbler Ridge attack victim sued OpenAI, claiming the company knew the attacker was planning a mass attack but failed to warn law enforcement.
In a post published Friday on
In the letter, Altman said he spoke with Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka and Eby about the shooting and agreed to a public apology. Altman said he is committed to finding ways to prevent such tragedies.
“Going forward, we will focus on working with all levels of government to ensure something like this never happens again,” Altman said in his letter.
OpenAI is also grappling with backlash over whether it is doing enough to protect public safety in the United States.
Last week, Florida’s attorney general launched a criminal investigation into ChatGPT and OpenAI to determine whether the San Francisco AI company is “criminally liable” for the chatbot’s actions in a shooting at Florida State University last year that left two people dead. Prosecutors were examining conversations between suspect Phoenix Ikner and ChatGPT.
