OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Says Muslim Tech Colleagues Fear Retaliation For Speaking Up

Topline OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Muslim workers in the tech industry are unable to speak up on recent events over fears of retaliation, in a series of social media posts outlining concerns about the rise of Islamaphobia and antisemitism at workplaces amid the ongoing war in Gaza. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Muslim and Arab tech workers were unable to speak up on recent events ...

[+] over fears of retaliation. Key Facts In a post on X, Altman wrote that in recent conversations with “Muslim and Arab (especially Palestinian) colleagues in the tech community,” he learned they were fearful of speaking out “out of fear of retaliation and damaged career prospects.” Altman then called on the tech industry to be united in support of these colleagues in this “atrocious time” and urged empathy.

Responding to a question about his Jewish colleagues, the OpenAI CEO, who is Jewish himself, said he believes antisemitism “s a significant and growing problem in the world.” Altman said he has seen many people in the industry “sticking up” for him on the issue of antisemitism which he appreciated but said he saw “much less of that for Muslims.” News Peg Altman’s comment comes amid growing concerns about the rise of Islamophobia and antisemitism around the U.S.—including in workplaces.

In December, the Council on American Islamic Relations reported 2,171 complaints of anti Muslim or anti Palestinian acts since the start of the war—a 172% rise over previous years. During the same period, the Anti Defamation League reported a 337% rise in antisemitic incidents around the country. In total, the ADL recorded 2,031 antisemitic incidents between October 7 and December 7 last year—up from 465 incidents during the same period in 2022.

Key Background Apart from expressing condolences over Hamas’ terror attack on Israel in October, top executives in Silicon Valley have largely shied away from commenting on the war in Gaza. One exception to that rule has been Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk. In November, Musk visited Israel after coming under fire for promoting antisemitism on his social media platform.

The billionaire met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and agreed with his comment on Hamas being destroyed in online spaces as well. Musk called for a stop to “propaganda that is convincing people to engage in murder,” and added: “Those that are intent on murder must be neutralized.”.