Scaling Laws Lawfare Daily: Talking About Sam Altman with Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz
Apr 17, 2026
Ronan Farrow, investigative journalist known for big accountability reporting, and Andrew Marantz, New Yorker staff writer with narrative legal and policy expertise, discuss reporting on Sam Altman and OpenAI. They cover alleged misleading conduct, transparency gaps like the WilmerHale review, corporate board maneuvering, national security risks from country plans, and limits of self-regulation and political influence.
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Public Safety Promises Diverged From Internal Actions
- OpenAI's public safety promises repeatedly diverged from internal actions, creating systemic trust risks rather than isolated misstatements.
- Reporting shows board reshuffles, undocumented Wilmer Hale briefings, and reversed nonprofit commitments that materially altered governance and accountability.
Insist On Written Independent Investigation Reports
- Demand documentation and preserve written records when companies promise external investigations; oral briefings defeat transparency and future oversight.
- Lawyers and investors should expect written reports to prevent later shareholder Section 220 demands or litigation.
Nonprofit Origins Were Undermined By Restructuring
- OpenAI's conversion from nonprofit governance to a for-profit structure erased earlier legal constraints intended to prioritize safety.
- Employees who took pay cuts to join the nonprofit felt betrayed as governance and mission shifted toward profitability.