OpenAI Boss Sam Altman Says Muslims in Tech World Fear Retaliation in Speaking Up

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has spoken out about the discrimination and harassment that Muslims face in the tech industry, saying that they often fear retaliation for speaking up about their experiences.

Altman made the comments during a panel discussion at the Code Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, on Wednesday. He was joined by other tech leaders, including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

"Muslims in the tech world often fear retaliation for speaking up about their experiences," Altman said. "This is a problem that needs to be addressed."

Altman cited a recent study by the Muslim Women's Research and Resource Center that found that 60% of Muslim women in the tech industry have experienced discrimination or harassment. He also pointed to a recent report from the Center for American Progress that found that Muslim women are underrepresented in the tech industry.

"We need to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for Muslims in the tech industry," Altman said. "We need to make it clear that discrimination and harassment will not be tolerated."

Altman's comments were met with applause from the audience. Many people in the tech industry have spoken out about the need to address discrimination and harassment, but Altman's comments are particularly notable because he is the CEO of a major tech company.

"It's great to see a leader like Sam Altman speaking out about this issue," said Omar Wasow, a professor of political science at Princeton University. "It's important for tech companies to take a stand against discrimination and harassment."

Altman's comments come at a time when the tech industry is facing increased scrutiny over its handling of diversity and inclusion issues. In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases of discrimination and harassment in the tech industry, including the ouster of Google employee James Damore, who wrote a memo criticizing the company's diversity policies.

"We need to do more to create a more inclusive workplace for everyone," Altman said. "We need to make sure that everyone feels welcome and respected, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or any other personal characteristic."