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Founder Defends Altman: A Story of Kindness
8 Apr
Summary
- A co-founder defended Sam Altman against sociopath allegations.
- He shared a personal 2015 story showcasing Altman's support.
- Altman assisted with a pitch deck and made a key introduction.

Waqas Ali, co-founder of the footwear brand Atoms, has publicly defended OpenAI CEO Sam Altman against accusations of being a 'sociopath.' These claims surfaced in a recent investigative report by The New Yorker, which cited former associates describing Altman as manipulative and untruthful.
Ali countered these allegations by recounting a personal experience from 2015. As president of Y Combinator, Altman provided Ali, then a newcomer from Pakistan, with substantial support. This included assistance with his startup pitch deck and an introduction to investor Alfred Lin.
Altman's alleged manipulative tactics reportedly included using AI safety as a bargaining chip. Sources within the New Yorker report characterized him as having a strong desire to be liked, combined with a "sociopathic lack of concern" for the outcomes of his deceptive actions.