Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has apologized to the Tumbler Ridge community in Canada for not alerting police to the shooter's disturbing ChatGPT interactions. In a letter published Friday, he expressed deep regret over the February tragedy. OpenAI had suspended Jesse Van Rootselaar's account eight months prior.
In Tumbler Ridge in February, Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old transgender woman, killed her mother and half-brother before shooting five children and an educator at her former school, then took her own life.
Van Rootselaar's ChatGPT account was suspended eight months earlier due to activity raising concerns about violent use of the tool. OpenAI stated it did not notify police, as nothing indicated an imminent act.
In a letter dated Thursday and published Friday by Tumbler RidgeLines, Sam Altman wrote: "no one should ever have to endure a tragedy like this." He expressed being "deeply sorry" for not alerting authorities and added: "Even if I know words will never suffice, I think it is necessary to apologize to acknowledge the harm and the irreversible loss your community has suffered."
OpenAI has faced heavy criticism over its role. Its leaders were summoned to Ottawa to detail safety protocols, and in March, the family of a seriously injured girl filed a lawsuit against the company.
