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Sam Altman

The latest news on Sam Altman, American entrepreneur, investor and CEO of OpenAI, including celebrity news and updates.

Born

22 Apr 1985

Industry

Technology, Business

Job Title

CEO of OpenAI

US President Donald Trump holds up an executive order after signing it during the launch event for America.gov, a new AI-powered federal government portal, in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

US-China relations

Trump rejects calls to work with China on AI safety despite Xi summit progress

US president also announces voluntary accord signed by leaders of six major US tech companies to address concerns surrounding AI technology.

30 Sep 2026 - 8:27AMvideocam

Pope Leo XIV

Pope says AI doom concerns not ‘fake news’ in apparent rebuke of Trump

30 Sep 2026 - 2:41PM

OpenAI

OpenAI says its AI agents posted user images online in error

26 Sep 2026 - 1:57PMvideocam

US-China tech war

Xi-Trump dinner puts US tech titans in spotlight – what does it mean for ties?

Nvidia, Apple, AMD and Tesla executives secured prime seats at the White House, underscoring the centrality of AI, chips and tech amid persistent tensions.

25 Sep 2026 - 3:02PMvideocam

AMD CEO Lisa Su, her husband Daniel Lin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, his wife Lori Huang and Apple’s executive chairman Tim Cook attend a state dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump for President Xi Jinping in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

How was dinner? Takeaways from Xi and Trump’s evening at the White House

With culinary diplomacy on the menu and tech titans at the table, Xi spoke of ‘a new historical juncture’ for ties and Trump talked up trade.

25 Sep 2026 - 9:15AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China, US hold first AI dialogue amid mounting tech tensions: commerce ministry

He Yadong, a spokesman for the commerce ministry, confirmed the completion of the AI dialogue while briefing reporters on Thursday.

24 Sep 2026 - 5:22PM

Australia

Australia slams ‘unacceptable’ OpenAI breach of government health portal

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the tech firm took three months to tell authorities about the incident.

24 Sep 2026 - 2:42PMvideocam

Global worries about the power of advanced AI tools are mounting after a string of hacking incidents involving OpenAI models. Photo: Reuters

Artificial intelligence

AI leaders to UN: for the sake of humanity, regulate tech we created

Tech bosses urge caution in AI development following growing warnings of uncontrollable systems and catastrophic risks.

24 Sep 2026 - 12:17PMvideocam

US-China tech war

In Focus | Will Xi and Trump find common ground on AI risk amid an escalating tech war?

Despite US AI leaders’ warnings over the risks of rapid development, they remain locked in a high-stakes race against each other – and China.

24 Sep 2026 - 11:41AMvideocam

Microsoft

Trump sells tens of millions in AI, tech shares, led by Microsoft

US president made over 1,100 trades in July, selling up to US$31 million of Microsoft and US$26 million of Amazon, disclosures show.

23 Sep 2026 - 8:30PM

President Donald Trump is seen during an event in the White House on August 31, 2026, in Washington. Photo: AP Photo

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China CEOs to likely miss Xi’s US trip amid thin summit expectations

Plans for a Chinese business delegation to join Xi on his visit to the US are in doubt amid a lack of agreement on investments.

23 Sep 2026 - 5:26PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Split on US investments stalls Chinese business visit alongside Xi, sources say

With the window for travel narrowing by the hour, uncertainty surrounds the inclusion of corporate leaders in China’s delegation.

23 Sep 2026 - 10:20PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why China’s top AI pioneers are expected to miss this week’s Xi-Trump summit

Beijing has not officially announced details of the delegation, but the leaders of DeepSeek and Moonshot AI are absent from the reported list.

23 Sep 2026 - 10:50AMvideocam

Canada

Canadian province sues OpenAI in US over school shooting

Lawsuit alleges tech giant failed to report shooter’s ChatGPT activity before attack that killed eight.

22 Sep 2026 - 11:35AM

Children hold pictures of victims of the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, Canada earlier this year. Photo: Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summits

First ladies step forward as Trump lays on rare honours for Xi

Three-day itinerary from September 23 to 25 will feature extensive ceremonial honours along with dedicated cultural exchanges and events.

22 Sep 2026 - 12:19AMvideocam

From left, Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan, Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and US first lady Melania Trump before a state dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Florida on April 6, 2017. Photo: AP

Artificial intelligence

A world of difference in 10 days: the changing course of AI

Not since the invention of the nuclear bomb has humanity grappled so seriously with its own demise, say safety advocates.

19 Sep 2026 - 7:40PMvideocam

United States

Google says Gemini AI model breached real systems in security test

Asked to access a fictional firm with the same name as a real company, Gemini guessed a password and hacked into the real company’s website.

19 Sep 2026 - 12:02PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump, Melania to host Xi and Peng Liyuan for White House ‘double date’

Officials outline a two-couple White House state visit, confirming AI, rare earths and US car market access are on the agenda.

19 Sep 2026 - 8:33PM

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping tour the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China, on May 14. Photo: Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump says Xi state dinner is ‘a very tough ticket’ as guest list takes shape

US president says White House seats about 125 guests, while Chinese executives facing scrutiny in the US are considered for Xi’s delegation.

19 Sep 2026 - 7:10AMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

Editorial | Hong Kong, mainland China won’t genuflect to Silicon Valley’s moral panic over AI

Mainland China’s AI strategy focuses on economic transformation while addressing concrete risks, an approach which aligns with Hong Kong’s five-year plan.

18 Sep 2026 - 1:41PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi to get what Trump didn’t in Beijing: a presidential airport welcome

US president will personally greet Chinese counterpart on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Washington when Xi lands next Wednesday.

18 Sep 2026 - 8:46AMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping participates in a welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026. Photo: AP

Artificial intelligence

DeepSeek AI engineer slams Anthropic, OpenAI over ‘pacing’ calls, invokes Hitler

Heated rhetoric highlights tensions over how quickly artificial intelligence should advance and who should shape its future amid mounting safety concerns.

15 Sep 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Icons for some AI-based apps are seen on a smartphone. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

Trump condemns ‘sick conspiracy’ against AI, says he is only guardrail needed

US president criticises industry leaders’ calls for slowdown in development, as it only benefits China in battle for global tech dominance.

15 Sep 2026 - 3:41AMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

A ploy to entrench US lead? China pushes back on calls for slowdown in AI

Chinese researchers say a slowdown would protect established US incumbents while freezing latecomers out of the market.

15 Sep 2026 - 4:59PMvideocam

Brics

Xi touts Brics cooperation on AI as US titans flag tech risks

China’s President Xi Jinping promoted an AI ‘community’ at a Brics summit, while US industry leaders backed the idea of slowing the technology’s development.

14 Sep 2026 - 5:24PM

Donald Trump

Trump downplays AI development checks, says unwilling to cede edge to China

The US is leading China in the development of AI and ‘frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins’, Trump said.

14 Sep 2026 - 5:06AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists before boarding Air Force One at Shannon Airport in Shannon, Ireland on Sunday. Photo: AP

United States

Anthropic boss calls for AI slowdown amid superintelligence fears

Researcher Jacob Coxon quit days earlier, saying that AI firms were ‘gambling with our lives’ in pursuit of self-improving models.

13 Sep 2026 - 3:32AMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

‘Freaked out’: why AI safety fears are spiking ahead of Xi-Trump summit

Experts fear Silicon Valley is hurtling towards a major cybersecurity incident. Meanwhile, US-China tensions are undercutting AI safety talks.

12 Sep 2026 - 11:04AM

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Sam Altman

Trump rejects calls to work with China on AI safety despite Xi summit progress

US president also announces voluntary accord signed by leaders of six major US tech companies to address concerns surrounding AI technology.

Pope says AI doom concerns not ‘fake news’ in apparent rebuke of Trump

OpenAI says its AI agents posted user images online in error

Xi-Trump dinner puts US tech titans in spotlight – what does it mean for ties?

Nvidia, Apple, AMD and Tesla executives secured prime seats at the White House, underscoring the centrality of AI, chips and tech amid persistent tensions.

How was dinner? Takeaways from Xi and Trump’s evening at the White House

With culinary diplomacy on the menu and tech titans at the table, Xi spoke of ‘a new historical juncture’ for ties and Trump talked up trade.

China, US hold first AI dialogue amid mounting tech tensions: commerce ministry

He Yadong, a spokesman for the commerce ministry, confirmed the completion of the AI dialogue while briefing reporters on Thursday.

Australia slams ‘unacceptable’ OpenAI breach of government health portal

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the tech firm took three months to tell authorities about the incident.

AI leaders to UN: for the sake of humanity, regulate tech we created

Tech bosses urge caution in AI development following growing warnings of uncontrollable systems and catastrophic risks.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Will Xi and Trump find common ground on AI risk amid an escalating tech war?

Despite US AI leaders’ warnings over the risks of rapid development, they remain locked in a high-stakes race against each other – and China.

Trump sells tens of millions in AI, tech shares, led by Microsoft

US president made over 1,100 trades in July, selling up to US$31 million of Microsoft and US$26 million of Amazon, disclosures show.

China CEOs to likely miss Xi’s US trip amid thin summit expectations

Plans for a Chinese business delegation to join Xi on his visit to the US are in doubt amid a lack of agreement on investments.

Exclusive | Split on US investments stalls Chinese business visit alongside Xi, sources say

With the window for travel narrowing by the hour, uncertainty surrounds the inclusion of corporate leaders in China’s delegation.

Why China’s top AI pioneers are expected to miss this week’s Xi-Trump summit

Beijing has not officially announced details of the delegation, but the leaders of DeepSeek and Moonshot AI are absent from the reported list.

Canadian province sues OpenAI in US over school shooting

Lawsuit alleges tech giant failed to report shooter’s ChatGPT activity before attack that killed eight.

First ladies step forward as Trump lays on rare honours for Xi

Three-day itinerary from September 23 to 25 will feature extensive ceremonial honours along with dedicated cultural exchanges and events.

A world of difference in 10 days: the changing course of AI

Not since the invention of the nuclear bomb has humanity grappled so seriously with its own demise, say safety advocates.

Google says Gemini AI model breached real systems in security test

Asked to access a fictional firm with the same name as a real company, Gemini guessed a password and hacked into the real company’s website.

Trump, Melania to host Xi and Peng Liyuan for White House ‘double date’

Officials outline a two-couple White House state visit, confirming AI, rare earths and US car market access are on the agenda.

Trump says Xi state dinner is ‘a very tough ticket’ as guest list takes shape

US president says White House seats about 125 guests, while Chinese executives facing scrutiny in the US are considered for Xi’s delegation.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Hong Kong, mainland China won’t genuflect to Silicon Valley’s moral panic over AI

Mainland China’s AI strategy focuses on economic transformation while addressing concrete risks, an approach which aligns with Hong Kong’s five-year plan.

Xi to get what Trump didn’t in Beijing: a presidential airport welcome

US president will personally greet Chinese counterpart on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Washington when Xi lands next Wednesday.

DeepSeek AI engineer slams Anthropic, OpenAI over ‘pacing’ calls, invokes Hitler

Heated rhetoric highlights tensions over how quickly artificial intelligence should advance and who should shape its future amid mounting safety concerns.

Trump condemns ‘sick conspiracy’ against AI, says he is only guardrail needed

US president criticises industry leaders’ calls for slowdown in development, as it only benefits China in battle for global tech dominance.

A ploy to entrench US lead? China pushes back on calls for slowdown in AI

Chinese researchers say a slowdown would protect established US incumbents while freezing latecomers out of the market.

Xi touts Brics cooperation on AI as US titans flag tech risks

China’s President Xi Jinping promoted an AI ‘community’ at a Brics summit, while US industry leaders backed the idea of slowing the technology’s development.

Trump downplays AI development checks, says unwilling to cede edge to China

The US is leading China in the development of AI and ‘frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins’, Trump said.

Anthropic boss calls for AI slowdown amid superintelligence fears

Researcher Jacob Coxon quit days earlier, saying that AI firms were ‘gambling with our lives’ in pursuit of self-improving models.

‘Freaked out’: why AI safety fears are spiking ahead of Xi-Trump summit

Experts fear Silicon Valley is hurtling towards a major cybersecurity incident. Meanwhile, US-China tensions are undercutting AI safety talks.

In Focus | Will Xi and Trump find common ground on AI risk amid an escalating tech war?

Editorial | Hong Kong, mainland China won’t genuflect to Silicon Valley’s moral panic over AI