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FT Tech Tonic

FT Tech Tonic

AI Labs: Sam Altman may make or break OpenAI

May 20, 2026 · 28m

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OpenAI sparked the generative AI boom with the release of ChatGPT. But along the way its chief executive Sam Altman has ruffled plenty of feathers. Colleagues have left to set up rival labs, co-founders have sued him in court and his own company even tried to sack him. Now OpenAI’s early lead in the AI race is evaporating. Can it stay ahead of its rivals, and is Altman the right person to lead the AI revolution? FT articles free to read: Elon Musk loses OpenAI case after 2 hours of jury deliberations OpenAI investors question $852bn valuation as strategy shifts OpenAI chief Sam Altman: ‘This is genius-level intelligence’ Tech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. The…