---
id: "entity-sam-altman-d16"
type: "entity"
entityType: "person"
canonicalName: "Sam Altman"
source_timestamps: ["00:00:22", "00:06:02"]
tags: ["ceos", "founders"]
related: ["entity-openai", "entity-peter-steinberger"]
sources: ["s16-openclaw-saga"]
sourceVaultSlug: "s16-openclaw-saga"
originDay: 16
---
# Sam Altman

## Profile

CEO of [[entity-openai-d16]]. Public canonical reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Altman.

## Role in This Source

- Successfully recruited [[entity-peter-steinberger-d16]]
- Pitched a vision of **massive computational power** (tied to a Cerebras deal)
- Emphasized **deep mission alignment** for building consumer agents
- Won over [[entity-mark-zuckerberg]] in the recruiting fight

## Notable Quote

A paraphrased framing attributed to him: see [[quote-altman-dopamine]] — on why AI agents outpace humans in task execution.

## Contributions to This Vault

- Counterparty for [[entity-peter-steinberger-d16]] in [[claim-openai-acquired-founder-not-framework]]
- Source of [[quote-altman-dopamine]]