A person was arrested early Friday after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in San Francisco.
Officers responded around 3:43 a.m. to a report of an incendiary device thrown at a residence near Chestnut and Jones streets in the Russian Hill neighborhood, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Police did not identify the homeowner, but OpenAI confirmed to the outlet that the compound belongs to Altman.
The home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was attacked with a Molotov cocktail early Friday, according to a source. REUTERS“Early this morning, someone threw a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman’s home and also made threats at our San Francisco headquarters,” an OpenAI spokesperson told The Post.
“Thankfully, no one was hurt. We deeply appreciate how quickly SFPD responded and the support from the city in helping keep our employees safe. The individual is in custody, and we’re assisting law enforcement with their investigation.”
The suspect’s identity was not immediately released.
The property — located at 950 Lombard St. — sits on a prominent hillside near the famed curves of Lombard Street. Altman purchased the estate in March 2020 for $27 million, a discount from its original $45 million listing price, according to the San Francisco Standard.
The compound includes two residences alongside a large, ultra-modern addition built during a controversial redevelopment.
No one was injured in the attack on Sam Altman’s home in San Francisco, according to an OpenAI spokesperson. Getty Images
Sam Altman’s San Francisco compound.
Among its high-end features are an infinity pool overlooking the city, a separate wellness cottage and a garage accessed through what has been described as a “Batcave”-style tunnel entrance.
The home’s design has been likened to a traditional residence placed atop a more industrial, bunker-like foundation.
Altman and his husband, Australian software engineer Oliver Mulherin, welcomed a baby boy into their home last year.
Lee Edwards, a San Francisco venture capitalist who is a general partner of Root Ventures, told The Post that the attack may be politically motivated over fears around the way AI technology is disrupting society.
Sam Altman’s San Francisco compound.
“There is a lot of press out there, and political movements, sometimes amplified by mainstream politicians, that frames AI technology as apocalyptic and an existential threat to humanity,” Edwards said.
“I think people should be aware of the consequences of that kind of hyperbole, especially when we’ve seen this kind of thing happen before.”
Altman’s home dates back to the 19th century and has undergone multiple rebuilds following the 1906 earthquake and fire. Much of the original architecture was eventually demolished during redevelopment in the 2010s, drawing backlash from preservationists and city officials.
The project drew complaints over permitting violations and allegedly excessive demolition, resulting in fines and scrutiny of the city’s building inspection process, according to the Standard.
Altman filed a lawsuit against the developer and contractors for the property, alleging significant construction defects, including water leaks, sewage issues and hazardous mold. His attorneys described the property as a “lemon,” arguing that cost-cutting measures led to widespread problems.
San Francisco police did not immediately respond to a request for additional information.
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