A young man, aged 20, approached the residence of Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, in San Francisco about a week ago. Identified as Daniel Moreno-Gama, the individual allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at Altman’s house, expressing concerns about the potential threat of artificial intelligence (AI) leading to human extinction. Reports suggest that Daniel had previously mentioned a plan resembling the actions of Luigi Mangione, who was linked to the killing of a UnitedHealthcare CEO in 2024.
According to information from the Wall Street Journal, Daniel Moreno-Gama had discussed the idea of targeting tech CEOs in a similar manner months before the incident involving Altman’s property. The case draws parallels to Luigi Mangione, who reportedly shot and killed the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, driven by dissatisfaction with the healthcare industry and a desire to symbolically retaliate against high-level executives.
Following the alleged attack on Thompson, Mangione gained support on social media as a figure challenging perceived exploitation by healthcare companies due to the exorbitant healthcare costs in the US. In a similar vein, Daniel Moreno-Gama appeared to draw inspiration from Luigi’s actions, focusing on the AI industry. Authorities found a manifesto in his possession warning about AI’s catastrophic consequences and conveying a message to Altman about redemption, emphasizing the dangers he believed AI posed to humanity.
Facing charges including attempted murder and arson, Daniel Moreno-Gama has not yet entered a plea. Contrary to initial impressions, the 20-year-old had expressed admiration for AI, specifically ChatGPT, in the past. However, his views shifted after delving into critical perspectives on AI, notably from figures like Eliezer Yudkowsky, who highlighted the potential catastrophic outcomes of superhuman AI.
In a subsequent statement, Daniel clarified that his mention of ‘Luigi’ing some tech CEOs’ was not a literal call to action but rather an expression of frustration. His defense attorney argued that the incident was primarily a property crime and criticized the severity of the charges, suggesting they were magnified due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved.
Sam Altman addressed the incident on his blog, sharing a photo of his family and urging people not to target them. In a concerning turn of events, gunshots were reported outside Altman’s residence two days after the Molotov attack, leading to the arrest of two suspects by the police.