In brief
In a serious incident, Daniel Moreno-Gama has been charged with throwing a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman’s home in San Francisco. The attack, initiated around 4 a.m., reflects Moreno-Gama's opposition to artificial intelligence. The FBI has linked him to other threats, including one to burn OpenAI’s headquarters. Altman responded to the threats by emphasizing the need for calm dialogue about AI's implications.
SPRING, Texas (AP) — The man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI founder Sam Altman’s home in San Francisco had a documented opposition to artificial intelligence, according to court documents.
Daniel Moreno-Gama allegedly threw the incendiary device around 4 a.m. Friday, igniting an exterior gate at Altman’s residence before fleeing the scene. Just an hour later, Moreno-Gama reportedly made his way to OpenAI’s headquarters, threatening to set the building on fire.
FBI agents visited Moreno-Gama’s home in Spring, Texas, on Monday morning, conducting a search of the premises. He faces charges including possession of an unregistered firearm and damage by explosives.
At the time of his arrest, officials discovered documents on Moreno-Gama expressing his vehement opposition to Artificial Intelligence (AI), detailing perceived risks posed to humanity.
Moreno-Gama wrote about AI's “impending extinction” in his criminal complaint.
In the wake of the attack, advocacy groups have condemned the violent acts targeting figures in the AI sector. Anthony Aguirre, president and CEO of the Future of Life Institute, stated that “violence and intimidation of any kind have no place in the conversation about the future of AI.”
In response to the threats against him, Altman shared a personal photo of his family, emphasizing the importance of calm and rational dialogue about AI's future. He expressed that while fear surrounding AI is legitimate, it's crucial to channel these concerns productively to avoid escalation.
___
Associated Press journalist Matt O’Brien contributed to this report.
