A young Texas man has been hit with serious criminal charges after authorities say he travelled across the continent to launch a firebombing attack on the home of OpenAI's chief executive officer.
Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20, of Spring, Texas, was charged Monday with two counts of attempted murder and attempted arson in California state court, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced. He also faces federal charges including possession of an unregistered firearm and destruction of property by means of explosives.
Prosecutors allege Moreno-Gama threw a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home around 4 a.m. on Friday, igniting an exterior gate before fleeing on foot. Less than an hour later, the suspect allegedly appeared at OpenAI's headquarters nearby and threatened to burn down the building, according to court documents.
"This was not spontaneous. This was planned, targeted and extremely serious," said Matt Cobo, FBI San Francisco acting special agent in charge, during a news conference.
Authorities say surveillance footage shows a person in a dark hoodie approaching Altman's driveway and tossing the incendiary device. Video from OpenAI's headquarters allegedly captured the same suspect smashing glass doors with a chair and telling security personnel he came to "burn it down and kill anyone inside."
Court documents reveal Moreno-Gama carried a written manifesto opposing artificial intelligence, warning of AI's "purported risk to humanity and our impending extinction." Investigators say the attack was carefully planned rather than a spontaneous act.
The state charges carry potential sentences ranging from 19 years to life in prison. Federal charges could add up to 30 additional years. No injuries were reported in either incident.
Neighbours of Moreno-Gama's Texas home described his family as "very nice people" involved with their local church. He has not yet entered a plea, and court records do not yet indicate whether he has secured legal representation.
"Acts targeting technology companies are not just local crimes, they have broader implications in economic security and public safety," Cobo said, highlighting the broader concerns raised by the case.
This article is based on reporting from CBC World.