Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and his partner, Oliver Mulherin, have committed to giving away most of their wealth by signing the Giving Pledge. This pledge, initiated by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett in 2010, asks the world's richest individuals to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy, either during their lifetimes or through their wills.
In their pledge letter dated May 18, Altman and Mulherin expressed their gratitude for the contributions of many people who have supported their journey. "We would not be making this pledge if it weren't for the hard work, brilliance, generosity, and dedication to improve the world of many people that built the scaffolding of society that let us get here," they wrote. They emphasized their commitment to giving back and helping to further improve society. "There is nothing we can do except feel immense gratitude and commit to pay it forward, and do what we can to build the scaffolding up a little higher."
Altman and Mulherin plan to focus their philanthropic efforts on supporting technology that creates abundance for people, allowing society to advance further. This aligns with their belief in leveraging technology to improve lives and promote progress.
The Giving Pledge has attracted many high-profile signatories, including MacKenzie Scott, Reid Hoffman, Marc Benioff, Elon Musk, Larry Ellison, and Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. These individuals have made significant commitments to philanthropy, aiming to address various global challenges.
Although Altman has no equity in OpenAI, he has made a mark on the billionaires' lists of Forbes and Bloomberg earlier this year, thanks to his diverse investments. His portfolio includes investments in companies like Reddit and Stripe, as well as stakes in nuclear energy startup Helion and longevity biotech startup Retro Biosciences. Additionally, Altman holds interests in YC funds and has been expanding his real estate holdings.
Altman's decision to sign the Giving Pledge highlights his dedication to using his wealth and influence to make a positive impact. By focusing on technological advancements that benefit society, he aims to contribute to a future where resources are abundant, and opportunities are accessible to all.
