KEY POINTS
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei avoided holding hands during a photo-op with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The two tech rivals opted to raise separate fists instead of joining the symbolic “unity chain” on stage.
- Altman later described the moment as confusing, while analysts pointed to deep-seated philosophical and commercial rifts.
A symbolic display of unity turned into a viral moment of tension at the India AI Impact Summit on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited global tech leaders to join hands on stage to reflect a shared commitment to inclusive technology. However, the optics shifted when OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei declined to link hands. The two men stood side-by-side but chose to raise their fists individually rather than join the human chain.
The interaction at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi immediately sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms. Observers interpreted the physical distance as a clear sign of the “AI cold war” currently shaping the industry. While other executives like Google CEO Sundar Pichai participated in the gesture, the break between Altman and Amodei stood out. The hesitation lasted several seconds before both executives eventually lifted their clenched hands in the air.
Sam Altman later addressed the awkward exchange during a meeting with reporters, citing personal confusion during the event. He noted that he was unsure of the protocol when the Prime Minister began the collective gesture. Altman claimed he simply did not know what the group was expected to do in that specific moment. Anthropic and its leader, Dario Amodei, have not yet issued a formal comment regarding the interaction on stage.
The roots of this visible friction trace back to a significant corporate split in 2021. Amodei previously served as a high-ranking research executive at OpenAI before departing to found Anthropic. He reportedly left due to fundamental disagreements over the speed of commercialization and the prioritization of safety protocols. Since the split, the two firms have emerged as the most prominent competitors in the generative artificial intelligence market.
Recent commercial disputes have further strained the relationship between the two Silicon Valley giants. Earlier this month, Anthropic aired a high-profile Super Bowl advertisement that criticized the introduction of ads in AI chatbots. The campaign positioned their Claude bot as a permanently ad-free alternative to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Altman responded publicly by calling the marketing campaign dishonest and defending his company’s strategy to democratize AI access.
Despite the brief moment of awkwardness, the summit focused on India’s growing influence in the global technology landscape. The event brought together leaders to discuss ethical governance and the future of frontier models. The Prime Minister’s “unity pose” was intended to signal a collaborative approach to these complex challenges. However, the missing link in the chain reminded the world of the fierce competition driving development.
Industry experts believe the rivalry between OpenAI and Anthropic will continue to define the sector’s trajectory. The two companies represent differing visions of how to scale artificial intelligence safely and profitably. While they shared the same stage in New Delhi, their body language suggested a significant divide remains. The global AI race appears as much about personal and philosophical differences as it is about technical prowess.
