The Gist Altman Almighty
7 snips
May 12, 2025 
Keach Hagey, a Wall Street Journal journalist and author of "The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future," dives into the ambitious world of Sam Altman. They discuss Altman’s journey from failed apps to spearheading billion-dollar AI ventures. The conversation also touches on the cultural shifts in how technology is perceived and the troubling gender imbalances in Silicon Valley. Hagey humorously critiques the implications of Trump's extravagant 'flying palace' and its reflections on political luxury.
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Sam Altman's Early Startup Loopt
- Sam Altman founded a company called Loopt during the flip phone era, which was a social network based on maps.
- The company was technologically difficult and struggled after the iPhone emerged but built valuable industry relationships.
Altman's Unique Optimism
- Sam Altman is exceptionally optimistic, willing to bet on low-probability but high-impact outcomes.
- His optimism contrasts with others in tech due to his conciliatory style and lack of reactive anger.
AI Safety Concerns Evolve
- AI safety concerns have shifted from existential risk to practical alignment and ethical behavior.
- This evolution reflects the company's growing power and changing understanding of what safety means.
