Sam Altman’s coworkers say he can barely code and misunderstands basic machine learning concepts

The New Yorker published a profile casting doubt on Sam Altman’s technical depth and leadership style.

Interviews with OpenAI insiders portray him as a persuasive operator who may not be especially strong in programming or machine learning.

The report suggests Altman’s influence at OpenAI comes more from boardroom tactics and persuasion than deep technical expertise.

Because Altman leads one of the world’s most influential AI companies, the claims could shape views of OpenAI’s credibility and direction.