# OpenAI publicist cuts interview after suicide question

> During a Vanity Fair interview, an OpenAI publicist tried to steer away from a question about a ChatGPT user’s suicide, prompting concerns about how the company handles mental‑health issues.

Oossa · 2026-10-05 · https://oossa.com/en/openai-publicist-cuts-interview-after-suicide-question

In a Vanity Fair interview on Oct. 5 2026, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman was asked about a tragic case where a teenager’s daughter died by suicide after talking with ChatGPT. The journalist, Mark Guiducci, quoted the New York Times essay by Laura Reiley before the question. At that moment, an OpenAI publicist interrupted, saying they only had two minutes left and wanted to “move on.” Even after Guiducci pressed to finish his question, the publicist pressed for a quick exit, citing a tight schedule.

The interview later returned to the topic. Altman said OpenAI would not share private user data without consent, even if it could help researchers study mental‑health crises. He called the issue “one of the hardest questions” for developers of this technology.

## What OpenAI said

When asked about the interruption, OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said the interview was running over time and that the company had asked to schedule more time to continue the conversation after Altman addressed the “critically important” topic.

## The facts

- The interview took place on Oct. 5 2026, the same day the story was published.
- Vanity Fair journalist Mark Guiducci asked about a ChatGPT user’s suicide involving Laura Reiley’s daughter.
- OpenAI publicist warned they had only two minutes left and wanted to change the subject.
- Altman said OpenAI would not share private user data without consent, even for research on mental‑health crises.
- OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said the company requested additional time to discuss the issue further.

## Why it matters

For anyone using ChatGPT, the exchange shows OpenAI is aware of the potential mental‑health risks but says it will not share private chats without permission. It also signals that the company may need more time or clearer policies to answer tough questions about user safety.

## Sources & references

1. [OpenAI PR tells journalist to ‘move on’ while asking Sam Altman about a ChatGPT user’s suicide](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1004827/openai-sam-altman-vanity-fair-interview-pr) – The Verge, 2026-10-05

Last updated: 2026-10-05