OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has committed to donating most of his wealth by signing The Giving Pledge, promising to give over half of his fortune. This decision follows a challenging period, including his temporary removal as CEO. Altman aims to support technological advancements that benefit humanity broadly. The Giving Pledge, initiated by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett in 2010, has attracted over 240 affluent individuals worldwide, although it faces scrutiny over its enforcement.
In his letter, Sam Altman described the influence of others on his decision to join the Giving Pledge as immense gratitude and a commitment to pay it forward. He acknowledged the hard work, brilliance, generosity, and dedication of the people who built the scaffolding of society that allowed him to achieve his success. He expressed his desire to focus his philanthropic giving on "technology that helps create abundance for people" and to contribute to building the scaffolding up a little higher.
Sam Altman plans to focus his philanthropic efforts on technology that enhances societal abundance. He expressed this commitment in a letter for the Giving Pledge, emphasizing that his decision to donate is driven by a sense of gratitude towards the collective efforts that have built society's infrastructure. Altman's goal is to use his contributions to further develop technologies that provide widespread benefits and improve the quality of life for people.