During an interview with Vanity Fair, an OpenAI publicist attempted to redirect the conversation when editor Mark Guiducci questioned CEO Sam Altman about a ChatGPT user's suicide. The journalist referenced an essay by Laura Reiley for The New York Times, which detailed her daughter's interactions with the chatbot prior to her death.
The publicist interrupted the exchange, citing a two-minute time limit and requesting to shift the discussion toward the company's future. Despite the representative's insistence on moving on, Guiducci continued his inquiry regarding how OpenAI plans to handle user mental health crises and the potential use of private conversation data.
Altman addressed the query, noting that the company faces significant challenges regarding the release of private data to researchers. He stated that such information should not be shared without user consent. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri later stated that the interview had exceeded its scheduled time, prompting the request to conclude the topic.
