Why Did Sam Altman Say OpenAI Would Melt All GPUs?
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has backed Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s call to slow frontier AI development and confirmed OpenAI will use independent evaluators to assess safety. Altman also said OpenAI would melt all its GPUs if necessary to protect humanity, while stressing that multiple pauses for safety and alignment may be needed.
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has both backed Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s proposal to slow the pace of frontier AI development and stated that OpenAI would melt all its graphics processing units if that were required to ensure humanity’s continued existence. The remarks were made during a Fortune interview published on 12 September 2026.
Altman confirmed he agrees with Amodei’s essay We Must Pace the Frontier. He said OpenAI would also commit to independent evaluators with employee-like access to verify safety practices. Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Rishi Sunak and Others React to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei Call for Slowing Down AI Frontier Models.
OpenAI Would Melt GPUs, Says Sam Altman in Video Interview
SAM ALTMAN SAYS OPENAI WOULD MELT ALL ITS GPUS IF THAT'S WHAT IT TOOK TO KEEP HUMANITY ALIVE
He doesn't expect it to come to that. He does expect to pause more than once.
"I think there will be many places along the way where we have to say, we are pausing, we're going to… pic.twitter.com/zcXCFPibYO
— IPO Newsroom (@IPONewsroom_) September 12, 2026
I Agree With Dario, Sam Altman Backs Anthropic CEO on Slowing Down AI Frontier Models
I agree with Dario that we need to pace the frontier. This has been a primary topic of discussions we've had at OpenAI in recent weeks.
Committing to having independent evaluators with employee-like access is a great idea, and we will do the same. We'll have more to share soon. https://t.co/1YhhIybZX7
— Sam Altman (@sama) September 12, 2026
Sam Altman’s Support for Pacing the Frontier
Amodei had argued that AI capabilities are advancing faster than safety measures can match, citing recursive self-improvement and recent incidents. He proposed embedded third-party evaluators, democratic coordination among companies, and eventual global efforts.
Altman responded that pacing the frontier has been a primary topic of discussion at OpenAI in recent weeks. He described the independent evaluator idea as a strong step and confirmed OpenAI would implement the same measure, with further details to follow.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's 'GPU Melt' Comment and Safety Stance
In the same interview Altman addressed extreme scenarios. He said OpenAI does not expect to reach a point where it must melt all its GPUs, but would do so without hesitation if that step became necessary to protect humanity.
He stressed that the company anticipates multiple pauses during development to redirect efforts into safety and alignment before advancing further. Altman said this approach has worked so far and is expected to continue.
The comments form part of a wider exchange among AI leaders. Elon Musk and former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak also expressed support for more deliberate progress. Altman simultaneously ruled out an OpenAI initial public offering in 2026, calling the current period an ill-advised moment to go public while safety priorities remain urgent. Why Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei Urges AI Industry To ‘Slow Down’.
OpenAI has indicated that remaining private allows greater flexibility to prioritise safety over short-term commercial pressures.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2026 08:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
