Sam Altman: the new Victor Frankenstein?

Sam Altman, the co-founder of OpenAI, the company that brought us ChatGPT, wants to change the world—but at what cost? In a manifesto outlining the future of artificial intelligence, Altman paints a stunningly optimistic vision. AI, he argues, could cure disease, reverse climate change, and free humanity from labor and its limitations. But as seductive as this vision is, Altman’s relentless pursuit of technological progress brings to mind a cautionary tale: the story of Victor Frankenstein, the brilliant scientist from Mary Shelley’s novel whose ambitions led to the creation of a monster he could not control.

Altman is not a fictional character, of course. He’s very much real—and the power he wields through AI development is formidable. But the question remains: is Altman following in the footsteps of the doomed figures from myth and literature who sought to transcend human limits—Prometheus, Faust, and Frankenstein—only to unleash forces they could not understand, let alone control?

The Seduction of Intelligence and Power

Altman’s manifesto is a masterclass in technical optimism. He believes that artificial intelligence will solve some of humanity’s biggest problems, from climate disasters to global inequality. In his future, machines will augment human intelligence, automate labor, and unlock breakthroughs in medicine, clean energy, and more. But this vision stems from a particular worldview—one that assumes more intelligence and technical solutions are the key to solving all problems. This assumption is where Altman’s thinking aligns with Victor Frankenstein’s tragic missteps.

Frankenstein, too, was brilliant. He mastered the technical knowledge required to animate life but lacked the wisdom to foresee the consequences. Like Altman, he believed that power—over life, over nature—was inherently good. But as Shelley’s novel unfolds, we see the cost of this power. Frankenstein’s creation, initially a marvel, becomes a source of endless torment, not just to its creator but to all those around him.

Altman’s vision, similarly, offers tremendous potential. But in his race to create an artificial general intelligence (AGI) that surpasses human capabilities, he might be neglecting the deeper emotional, ethical, and existential dimensions that shape the human condition. Like Frankenstein, Altman seems laser-focused on what can be built, without really considering the profound question of whether it should be built.

The Danger of Overreach: Lessons from Myth

Altman’s ambitions echo a long line of figures who sought to transcend human limits. In Greek myth, Prometheus stole fire from the gods to give humanity a gift he believed would elevate them. But fire also brought destruction, warfare, and suffering. Prometheus’s punishment—eternal torment—became a symbol of the dangers of overreach.

This same story repeats in Goethe’s Faust. Faust, dissatisfied with the limits of human knowledge, makes a deal with the devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited power and insight. But in his relentless pursuit of mastery, Faust’s actions lead to moral and spiritual ruin. These stories don’t condemn ambition, but they serve as powerful reminders that certain boundaries—whether imposed by gods, nature, or morality—exist for a reason.

Altman’s AI manifesto feels eerily familiar in its ambition. He confidently envisions AI solving the planet’s greatest challenges, yet there’s little recognition of the unintended consequences that might arise. The AGI he seeks to create won’t be a monster in the literal sense, but it could still profoundly disrupt the social, economic, and political fabric of society in ways Altman may not fully anticipate—just as Frankenstein’s creature, despite its promise, became a source of terror.

The Shallow Depths of Silicon Valley

One of the defining features of Silicon Valley, the birthplace of Altman’s AI revolution, is its emphasis on disruption. The mantra is simple: move fast, break things, and fix the world’s problems with more technology. But in this rush, something crucial gets lost—wisdom.

Altman and his peers excel in technical brilliance and innovation, but the culture surrounding them is strikingly lacking in the emotional depth and ethical maturity needed to wield their power responsibly. In the discourse about AI, most conversations focus on the positive potential, some focus on the potential risks of the machines taking over. But where is the discussion of the deeper social and risks—how AI might impact human relationships, emotional well-being, and the fabric of society? It happens but not much of it in Silicon Valley.

In Frankenstein, the doctor’s downfall wasn’t just technical—it was emotional and ethical. Frankenstein was clever, yes, but he lacked the wisdom to understand the responsibilities that came with creation. In his single-minded pursuit, he overlooked the emotional consequences of his actions, and this blind spot ultimately led to his ruin. Silicon Valley, for all its innovation, often displays the same shortcoming. Altman, in particular, has built a compelling vision for AI’s future, but it’s a vision that lacks the relational, ethical, and human concerns that define our experience of life.

The Golem and the Consequences of Creation

Altman’s AI ambitions also resonate with another ancient myth—the story of the Golem from Jewish folklore. In this tale, a rabbi brings a Golem, a figure made of clay, to life through mystical knowledge to protect his community. But the Golem, once animated, becomes uncontrollable, turning against its creator and causing more harm than good. The rabbi’s failure was not in creating the Golem but in underestimating its power.

Altman, like the rabbi, is bringing something incredibly powerful into the world. AI, once fully realised, could easily exceed human control. It might not turn into a literal monster, but its consequences—whether through job loss, surveillance, or deep societal disruption—could become as unmanageable as the Golem’s rampage. Altman may not recognize the parallels, but the cautionary lessons from Frankenstein and the Golem loom large.

The Shallow Vision of AI

Altman’s grand visions for AI are undeniably bold, but they reveal a limited understanding of what truly matters. Intelligence and technical prowess are essential, but they are not enough. The richness of human life comes from wisdom, emotional depth, and connection—qualities that no machine can replicate. In the rush to create AGI, Altman risks missing this essential truth.

The fire that Altman is bringing to humanity may burn brightly for a time, illuminating new possibilities and breakthroughs. But without the wisdom to temper its flames, that same fire could consume us all.

Victor Frankenstein, Prometheus, Faust, the rabbi who created the Golem—they all believed they were advancing human progress. But they lacked the maturity to recognize the limits of their power. Altman stands at a similar crossroads. The question is, will he heed these lessons and seek wisdom before it’s too late, or will he, like Frankenstein, realize the cost of his ambition too late?