OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has issued an apology to the residents of Tumbler Ridge, Canada, after his company failed to alert law enforcement about a suspect in a recent mass shooting. The company had banned the individual’s ChatGPT account for posting content involving gun violence but chose not to inform authorities.

Van Rootselaar was identified as a suspect and allegedly killed eight people. OpenAI only contacted Canadian authorities after the shooting, following internal debates on whether to alert law enforcement earlier.

In a letter published in the local newspaper Tumbler RidgeLines, Altman expressed regret for not reporting the account earlier and acknowledged the “irreversible loss” suffered by the community. The company has since pledged to enhance safety protocols and establish direct points of contact with law enforcement.

Altman also discussed the incident with Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka and British Columbia Premier David Eby, who agreed that a public apology was necessary but emphasised the need for communities to grieve in their own time. OpenAI’s focus will now be on working with governments to prevent similar incidents.

Despite Altman's apology, British Columbia Premier Eby called it “necessary, and yet grossly insufficient” due to the devastation caused to the families of Tumbler Ridge.