SPRING, Texas (AP) — A 30-year-old man named Daniel Moreno-Gama has been charged after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at the San Francisco home of OpenAI founder Sam Altman in a reported protest against artificial intelligence. Authorities detailed that Moreno-Gama reportedly hurled the incendiary device at approximately 4 a.m. on Friday, igniting an exterior gate before fleeing the scene.
Less than an hour after the attack on Altman’s residence, Moreno-Gama allegedly visited OpenAI's headquarters, threatening to burn down the building. Law enforcement soon apprehended him at his Texas home, where they discovered documents outlining his vehement opposition to artificial intelligence and its executives.
The criminal complaint indicates that Moreno-Gama expressed serious concerns over AI's risks, mentioning a belief in 'our impending extinction' due to its advancements. This incident marks a troubling intersection of technology, violence, and public sentiment regarding AI.
In response to the attack, Altman shared a personal post including a family photo, emphasizing the larger issue of fear and anxiety surrounding AI. He stressed the necessity of de-escalating the rhetoric, stating, 'It’s important to have fewer explosions in fewer homes, figuratively and literally.' Anthony Aguirre, president of the Future of Life Institute, condemned the violence, asserting that such acts hold no place in discussions about AI.
