Altman, Olive Oil & OpenAI's Burn Rate

Cansın Cengiz

Cansın Cengiz

— 2 min read

Sam Altman's Kitchen Choice: A Lighthearted Look at Tech Spending

In a rather amusing observation, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's culinary habits have caught the eye of the Financial Times, sparking a humorous commentary on his use of olive oil. During a "Lunch with the FT" segment, Altman, while preparing pasta and salad, reportedly made a choice that has been dubbed an "offense to horticulture."

The Great Olive Oil Mix-Up

The crux of the matter lies in Altman's use of Graza olive oil, a brand popular for its distinctly marketed "sizzle" and "drizzle" varieties. These are designed for sautéing and finishing dishes, respectively. It appears Altman reached for the "drizzle" finishing oil—typically more refined and pricier, meant for flavour enhancement post-cooking—to use in his sauté pan, despite the "sizzle" bottle being readily available.

While the nuances of Spanish olive cultivation might not be common knowledge, the FT humorously pointed out that stocking two specific types of olive oil usually implies an understanding of their distinct purposes and price points. Using a delicate finishing oil for high-heat cooking is likened to cooking fresh basil down like spinach – a waste of a premium ingredient.

A Metaphor for Silicon Valley?

The article playfully draws a parallel between this kitchen faux pas and the financial operations of some Silicon Valley startups. OpenAI, for instance, secured a staggering $40 billion in a recent funding round but has also reported significant financial losses, with figures around $5 billion last year. There have even been times when its popular ChatGPT Pro plan was reportedly losing money.

Of course, how one uses olive oil is unlikely to offer genuine insight into a multi-billion dollar company's financial strategies. However, the FT's piece uses this lighthearted observation to muse on the broader theme of resource management and spending habits in the tech world. If one is perhaps a bit extravagant with pricey cooking oil, could it be a symptom of a larger tendency to burn through capital, venture or otherwise?

It's a whimsical thought, but one that adds a touch of everyday relatability to the often-abstract world of high-stakes tech finance.

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