Sam Altman, who became president of Y Combinator in his 20s, has emerged as a central figure in the artificial intelligence industry through his leadership at OpenAI. He gained global attention with the launch of ChatGPT, a breakthrough AI product, but faced internal challenges when OpenAI's non-profit board attempted to remove him a year later. Despite this, Altman returned to lead the company, a journey detailed in two new books that explore his combination of technological ambition and storytelling skills, which have helped him secure substantial funding. Journalist Karen Hao’s book "Empire of AI" reveals early tensions within OpenAI, including Altman's concerns about surveillance and internal conflicts. The narrative surrounding Altman highlights how his leadership style and the evolving nature of AI reflect broader questions about work, power, and the future. Additionally, the rise of DeepSeek, a small AI lab, signals a shift in the global AI race, demonstrating that innovation is no longer confined to economies with unrestricted access to advanced hardware and capital. Altman’s story is characterized by resilience and strategic acumen, outlasting challenges from figures like Elon Musk and reshaping the AI industry’s corporate model.