OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Denies Sister’s Allegations of Childhood Sexual Abuse

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has denied allegations of childhood sexual abuse filed against him by his sister, Annie Altman, in a legal complaint submitted on Monday.

The accusations, which span a period from 1997 to 2006, have been described by Altman and his family as “deeply hurtful and entirely untrue.”

In a joint statement released on social platform X, Altman, alongside his mother and two brothers, addressed the claims and expressed concern for Annie’s well-being.

“Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, especially Sam,” the statement said.

“Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her well-being. Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult,” the family added.

The allegations, which include claims of abuse from when Annie was three years old until she was 12, have been strongly refuted by the Altman family. They described Annie’s assertions as having “evolved drastically over time” and insisted that the latest accusations are “utterly untrue.”

“The worst allegation she has made is that she was sexually abused by Sam as a child,” the statement read. “Her claims have evolved drastically over time. Newly for this lawsuit, they now include allegations of incidents where Sam was over 18. All these claims are utterly untrue.”

Annie Altman, who is nine years younger than Sam, has reportedly faced mental health challenges. According to a 2023 New York Magazine report, Annie was described as an artist dealing with depression and sustaining herself primarily through online sex work.

The Altman family stated they have consistently provided Annie with financial assistance and support. “We have tried to help Annie, covering her expenses and guaranteeing her monthly financial support, which we expect to continue for the rest of her life,” the family said. “Despite this, Annie continues to demand more money from us.”

The dispute revealed years of tension within the Altman family and has now drawn significant attention due to Sam Altman’s prominence as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and his role in the launch of ChatGPT in 2022.

Altman, 39, gained international recognition for spearheading advancements in artificial intelligence and has positioned OpenAI as a leader in AI research.

He has stated his mission is to develop artificial general intelligence that benefits humanity.

As the case unfolds, questions about privacy, family dynamics, and mental health are likely to feature prominently. Legal experts anticipate that both sides will present evidence as the legal process proceeds.

Meanwhile, the Altman family reiterated their commitment to supporting Annie and maintaining their position that the allegations are baseless. “We love Annie and want the best for her,” the statement concluded.