Open AI CEO Sam Altman refuted allegations of childhood sexual abuse made by his sister Annie Altman, who recently filed a legal complaint.
In a letter shared on social platform X, co-signed by his mother and two brothers, the head of the California-based startup expressed that Annie’s claims are “deeply hurtful and entirely untrue.”
“Our family loves Annie and is deeply concerned about her well-being. It is incredibly challenging to care for a family member struggling with mental health issues,” the family stated in the letter.
Sam Altman, a prominent figure in Silicon Valley, gained international acclaim following the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, spurring significant advancements in AI research and development.
A successful entrepreneur and billionaire by age 39, Altman has dedicated himself to developing a “general” AI that mimics human cognitive abilities and aims to benefit all of humanity.
The Altman family disclosed their ongoing support for Annie, covering her expenses and providing her with “monthly financial support, expected to continue for the rest of her life.”
“Despite this support, Annie continues to demand more money,” they noted, explaining their decision to address these matters publicly after years of family tension and following Annie’s recent legal actions.
“The most severe accusation she has made is that Sam sexually abused her during her childhood,” the family revealed.
They added, “Her allegations have changed significantly, including new claims about incidents occurring after Sam turned 18. These accusations are completely false.”
According to the complaint, Annie — who is nine years younger than Sam — alleges the assaults began in 1997 when she was three and continued until 2006.
A 2023 New York Magazine report described Annie as an artist living in Hawaii, grappling with depression, a growing estrangement from her family, and supporting herself primarily through online sex work.
