Arabic version: الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة OpenAI يقدم اعتذارًا بعد حادثة إطلاق النار في كندا

Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, has issued a public apology after his company failed to alert law enforcement regarding an account linked to a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The incident, which occurred on February 10, resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including five children and an educator.

According to The Guardian, Altman expressed his deepest condolences in a letter posted on social media by British Columbia Premier David Eby. He acknowledged that OpenAI had identified the shooter’s account, which was banned in June for violating the company’s usage policy but did not meet the threshold for legal referral at that time.

The shooter, identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed her 39-year-old mother, Jennifer Jacobs, and 11-year-old stepbrother, Emmett Jacobs, before attacking Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Following the tragedy, Altman stated that he had spoken with community leaders, who conveyed their anger and sadness, leading to the consensus that a public apology was necessary.

In his letter, Altman reiterated his commitment to working with government officials to prevent similar tragedies in the future. He noted the profound impact of the loss on the community, stating, “No one should ever have to endure a tragedy like this. I cannot imagine anything worse in this world than losing a child.”

Premier Eby described the apology as “necessary, and yet grossly insufficient for the devastation done to the families of Tumbler Ridge.” OpenAI’s decision-making process regarding the account is now under scrutiny, as many believe the company had an opportunity to act before the shooting occurred.