Billionaire Tech CEO Ambushed, Served Subpoena During Live Event

On November 10, 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was speaking at a live event in San Francisco when he was unexpectedly ambushed and served with a subpoena. As Altman was discussing wealth inequality and the future of AI with Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, a man suddenly burst onto the stage, waving a white envelope and declaring he had a subpoena for the tech mogul.

The subpoena was issued by an activist group called Stop AI, who claim their members have been repeatedly arrested for non-violent protests against OpenAI. The group alleges that Altman's company poses an "extinction threat" to humanity and that this trial will be the "first time in human history" where a jury will consider the risks of advanced AI.

During the event, Altman had been defending the enormous wealth of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, arguing that creating valuable technology is valuable in itself. This sparked controversy, with Kerr acknowledging the "slanted" economy and wealth gap. The interruption brought the conversation to an abrupt end, leaving Altman appearing confused as he was served the subpoena.

The incident highlights the growing tensions around the development of powerful AI systems and their potential impact on society. As Altman is now legally required to testify, the upcoming trial is poised to be a high-profile examination of the ethics and risks surrounding artificial intelligence.