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In an open letter, the CEO of OpenAI has extended an apology for the company’s failure to notify authorities about the online actions of an individual who tragically killed eight people in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. This message of contrition was shared publicly on Friday.
Sam Altman, in his heartfelt letter, conveyed his profound condolences to the community affected by this harrowing event. “I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June,” Altman stated, acknowledging a critical oversight.
He emphasized that while no words can undo the past, an apology is essential to acknowledge the deep harm and irreversible loss experienced by the community. His message underscores a commitment to accountability and empathy in the wake of such a tragedy.
“While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered.”
The letter, dated Thursday, appeared on B.C. Premier David Eby’s social media and also on the local news website Tumbler RidgeLines on Friday.
On Feb. 10, police say an 18-year-old alleged shooter, identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed her 39-year-old mother, Jennifer Jacobs, and 11-year-old stepbrother, Emmett Jacobs, in their northern British Columbia home before heading to the nearby Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and opening fire, killing five children and an educator before killing herself.
Twenty-five people were also injured in the attack.
After the shootings, OpenAI came forward to say that last June the company identified Van Rootselaar’s account using abuse detection efforts for “furtherance of violent activities.”
The San Francisco technology company said it considered whether to refer the account to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police but determined at the time that the account activity didn’t meet a threshold for referral to law enforcement. OpenAI banned the account in June for violating its usage policy.
At the time, Eby said it “looks like” OpenAI had the opportunity to prevent the mass shooting.
In his letter, Altman said he had spoken with Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka and Eby and they “conveyed the anger, sadness and concern” felt in the community. It was agreed a public apology was warranted but time was needed for the community to grieve.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to the entire community,” Altman said. “No one should ever have to endure a tragedy like this. I cannot imagine anything worse in this world than losing a child.
“My heart remains with the victims.”
Altman reaffirmed his commitment to find ways to prevent similar tragedies.
“Going forward, our focus will continue to be on working with all levels of government to help ensure something like this never happens again,” he said.
Eby, in a social media post, called the apology “necessary, and yet grossly insufficient for the devastation done to the families of Tumbler Ridge.”