OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Says Muslim Tech Colleagues Fear Retaliation For Speaking Up
ForbesJan 04
Open AI's Sam Altman Claims Muslim Peers Fear Speaking Up
story
Image copyright: Mike Coppola/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
The Facts
Open AI CEO Sam Altman said on Thursday that Muslim and Arab peers in the tech industry don't feel comfortable speaking about their "recent experiences" due to "fear of retaliation."
In an X (formerly Twitter) post, apparently referencing the war in Gaza, Altman called on the tech community to stand united in support of "Muslim and Arab (especially Palestinian) colleagues," calling on everyone to "treat each other with empathy.”
The Spin
Narrative A
The titans of tech are learning — the same as many people across the globe — about the long-standing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and to empathize with both sides rather than rooting one way or the other. In the past, people in the tech world might not have felt comfortable speaking up, but the industry is becoming more open to diverse opinions.
Narrative B
Sam Altman deserves credit for speaking up about the plight of Palestinians, Muslims, and Arabs since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7. He's one of the few tech giants to show some courage on that front. It will take more than words, though, to make tech a safe space — starting with OpenAI and other companies making their products less biased.
