Sam Altman

Sam Altman leads the most watched AI company, OpenAI, after surviving a dramatic boardroom firing and rehiring saga in November 2023. His leadership oversaw ChatGPT's 100 million weekly users by January 2024 and a $29 billion valuation surge, making him a lightning rod for debates about AI safety. Altman's $0 salary contrasts with his $180 million stake in OpenAI's for-profit arm, fueled by a 10% revenue share for early backers. He is cheaper than the typical tech CEO in base pay but richer in risk, as his 80% support among developers masks a 40% disapproval from ethicists.