AI’s Top Leaders Got Corralled Into Holding Hands

The world’s biggest AI leaders gathered in New Delhi this week, prepared to talk about the latest models and their impact on societies. They seemed less prepared for a 14-person hand-hold that tech circles will remember for a long time.

On Thursday, top executives, including Demis Hassabis, Sundar Pichai, Brad Smith, Sam Altman, and Dario Amodei, lined up on stage with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India AI Impact Summit.

In his signature style, Modi held hands with Pichai on his right and Altman on his left and began raising their linked arms for a celebratory photo. Modi has previously taken photos this way with world leaders, including former US President Joe Biden and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The other tech execs were quick to catch on to Modi’s directive, looking right and left before grabbing their neighbour’s hand.

The photo op’s most meme-worthy scene was the OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs not managing — or refusing— to hold each other’s hands. After a pause, they raised their arms without making contact.

The moment was widely screenshotted and shared on social media.

The awkward moment followed a Super Bowl advertising jab between the two AI giants earlier this month. Anthropic’s 30-second commercial roasted OpenAI over its decision to bring ads to ChatGPT.

After Anthropic released a series of Super Bowl ad teasers, Altman responded with a lengthy post on X, calling the Anthropic ad “dishonest.”

Amodei cofounded Anthropic in 2021 after leaving OpenAI, citing disagreements over AI safety priorities and the lab’s leadership style.