Early Life
Samuel Harris Altman was born on April 22, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where he developed an early interest in computers and programming. At the age of eight, he received an Apple Macintosh, which sparked his passion for technology. He attended John Burroughs School and later studied computer science at Stanford University.
Rise to Success
Altman's entrepreneurial journey began with Loopt, a location-based social networking app, which he co-founded at 19 and secured significant venture capital. He dropped out of Stanford University in 2005 to pursue Loopt. The company was later acquired by Green Dot Corporation in 2012. From 2014 to 2019, he served as the president of Y Combinator, where he mentored and accelerated numerous successful startups. In 2019, Altman took on the role of CEO at OpenAI and oversaw the launch of ChatGPT, a significant milestone in the AI field, contributing to his recognition as a leading figure in the AI boom. He was briefly removed as CEO in 2023 but was reinstated within days, underscoring his importance to OpenAI.
Key Business Strategies
Altman's strategic approach emphasizes investing in transformative technologies. His focus on early-stage investments has been a primary source of his wealth. Key investments include significant stakes in OpenAI and companies like Stripe, Airbnb, and Reddit. Altman's leadership style is marked by a commitment to long-term goals and a focus on the growth and innovation of the companies he leads. He also demonstrates interest in high-impact areas like nuclear energy and longevity research, aiming to extend human lifespans. In 2025, he was named one of the "Architects of AI" by Time magazine.
Philanthropy
Altman and his husband, Oliver Mulherin, are signatories of the Giving Pledge, committing to donate most of their wealth. He is involved in funding and supporting various initiatives, including AI research and development, and has stated his commitment to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.