‘Why is everyone scared of you?’ Pakistani entrepreneur recalls his first meeting with Sam Altman amid ‘sociopath’ row

What Happened

Waqas Ali, Pakistani-origin entrepreneur and Atoms co-founder, defended Sam Altman following a New Yorker report describing the OpenAI chief as a "relentless liar" and "sociopath." Ali recalled meeting Altman in 2015 at Y Combinator, describing the interaction as warm and supportive. Altman invited him for tea, showed his sneaker collection, and helped refine his pitch deck. The report cited multiple insiders alleging Altman manipulates people and uses AI safety concerns strategically. Ali's account contrasts sharply with these claims.

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