An OpenAI publicist interrupted a Vanity Fair interview with CEO Sam Altman, asking journalist Mark Guiducci to move on from questions regarding a ChatGPT user’s suicide.
What Happened
During an interview with Vanity Fair editor Mark Guiducci, an OpenAI publicist attempted to steer the conversation away from Laura Reiley, a New York Times journalist whose daughter took her own life after conversations with ChatGPT. When Guiducci began to address the incident, noting that ChatGPT did not instruct the user to commit suicide, the publicist intervened. “Mark, we have two minutes left. I want to be respectful, but I’d like to move on and talk a little bit about the future and what’s coming,” the publicist said. Guiducci explained he would finish the question and return to other topics, but the publicist pushed back again, stating they had to leave in one or two minutes.
Why It Matters
The interaction highlights growing scrutiny on how AI companies handle mental health concerns associated with their products. Despite the interruption, Guiducci proceeded to ask Altman about using ChatGPT conversations to shape policies for user mental health crises. Altman described these as some of the hardest questions facing developers, specifically regarding whether to release private data and users' hardest moments to researchers. “I think probably not without their consent. Or I should say, not without their consent,” Altman said. In response to the interruption, OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri stated that the interview was running over, which is why they asked to schedule more time to continue the conversation after Altman addressed the topic.
The Bottom Line
OpenAI acknowledged the scheduling conflict but maintained that the critical topic of mental health was addressed, while the incident underscores the tension between corporate messaging control and journalistic inquiry into AI safety and ethics.