AI Leaders Sam Altman and Dario Amodei Don't Hold Hands at India Summit

AI CEOs Sam Altman and Dario Amodei chose to raise fists instead of holding hands at the India AI Summit on Feb 19, 2026. This is different from other leaders who linked hands.
By Newsroom | Technology, Business |

A moment during the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi has become a widespread topic of online discussion. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, were present on stage alongside other prominent figures, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Google/Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. During a planned group photograph, while many leaders linked hands, Altman and Amodei, positioned next to each other, did not. Instead, they raised their fists. This visual, captured and shared online, has led to widespread commentary and analysis.

Context of the Event and Key Individuals

The India AI Impact Summit, held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, aimed to bring together global leaders in artificial intelligence and policy. Prime Minister Modi orchestrated a photo opportunity involving numerous business and political leaders. The event was intended to signify collaboration and commitment to advancing AI.

Read More: New Aadhaar App launched in India in February 2026 lets users update mobile numbers from home

Key figures present included:

  • Sam Altman: CEO of OpenAI.

  • Dario Amodei: CEO of Anthropic. Amodei is a former employee of OpenAI, having co-founded Anthropic with others, including his sister Daniela Amodei, after leaving OpenAI.

  • Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India.

  • Sundar Pichai: CEO of Google and Alphabet.

  • Alexandr Wang: Founder of Scale AI and Meta's Chief AI Officer.

The visual of leaders holding hands is a common practice during such high-profile events, often symbolizing unity and agreement. The refusal of Altman and Amodei to participate in this gesture, despite standing adjacent to each other, has drawn significant attention.

Viral moment as AI leaders refuse to hold hands at India event - 1

The Non-Hand-Holding Incident

During the group photo session at the summit, Prime Minister Modi initiated the hand-linking gesture. He was seen holding hands with Sundar Pichai on his right and Sam Altman on his left, subsequently raising their linked arms. As the gesture extended down the line of leaders, it reached Altman and Amodei.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lifted Altman and Pichai's hands before an applauding crowd, with others following suit."

Instead of holding hands with each other, both Altman and Amodei raised their fists. Reports indicate a brief pause before this action, suggesting a deliberate choice.

"Altman and Amodei, who were next to each other, raised their fists instead of holding hands with one another.""After a pause, they raised their arms without making contact."

This divergence from the group's action was immediately noted and quickly became a focal point on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter).

Read More: Manilam Industries IPO opens February 20, 2026 to raise ₹40 crore for growth

Viral moment as AI leaders refuse to hold hands at India event - 2

Rivalry as a Potential Factor

The dynamic between OpenAI and Anthropic is frequently cited as a relevant backdrop to this event. Anthropic was founded by former OpenAI employees, including Dario Amodei, who reportedly left due to differences in the company's direction.

  • Origins: Dario Amodei, along with other former OpenAI staff, established Anthropic. This split has been characterized as a response to concerns about OpenAI becoming overly commercially focused.

  • Market Competition: Both companies are recognized as leading entities in the AI sector, though they may operate in different market segments.

  • Recent Tensions: The rivalry has seen public displays. Anthropic notably launched advertisements ahead of the Super Bowl, which reportedly criticized OpenAI's actions regarding advertising for some ChatGPT subscribers in the US. OpenAI, in turn, has commented on its advertising principles, alluding to such practices.

"The brewing cold war in the AI world was on full display at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Thursday…""The heated rivalry between OpenAI and Anthropic is making waves once again.""The OpenAI–Anthropic rivalry does not seem to die down anytime soon."

The choice by Altman and Amodei not to hold hands is being widely interpreted as a manifestation of this ongoing professional competition.

Interpretations of the Gesture

The visual of Sam Altman and Dario Amodei opting not to hold hands has generated diverse interpretations.

Viral moment as AI leaders refuse to hold hands at India event - 3

  • Professional Competition: The prevailing view is that the act underscores the competitive nature of the AI industry and the specific rivalry between OpenAI and Anthropic. Their refusal to engage in a gesture of unity is seen as a signal of their distinct corporate identities and market positions.

  • Symbolic Act: Some observers view the raised fists as a subtle yet clear statement, a departure from the expected sign of camaraderie.

  • Public Perception: The incident has become a "viral moment," capturing public attention and fueling discussions about the personalities and business relationships within the AI leadership.

"Once a rival, always a rival."

While the proximate cause is the refusal to hold hands, the underlying factors contributing to this action appear to be rooted in the complex and competitive landscape of advanced AI development. The event has served to highlight the underlying tensions that can exist even within collaborative forums.

Expert and Media Commentary

Media coverage has extensively framed the incident as a display of OpenAI and Anthropic's rivalry. The narrative consistently links the hand-holding refusal to the historical and current competitive pressures between the two companies.

Read More: OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs Don't Hold Hands at India AI Summit 2026

  • "Awkward Moment": This phrase is repeatedly used across reports to describe the incident, emphasizing the visual incongruity.

  • "Viral Moment": The widespread sharing and discussion on social media have cemented its status as a significant, if not entirely unexpected, event.

  • Rivalry as Explanation: Experts and analysts, as reflected in the media's framing, largely point to the history between the two CEOs and their companies as the primary explanatory factor. Dario Amodei's departure from OpenAI and the subsequent establishment of Anthropic are frequently referenced.

"The visuals of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei avoiding holding hands during a group photograph at the India AI Impact Summit on Thursday (February 19) have become a topic of discussion on social media."

The emphasis remains on the observed behavior and its interpretation within the known context of industry competition, rather than on explicit statements from the individuals involved regarding their motivations.

Viral moment as AI leaders refuse to hold hands at India event - 4

Conclusion and Unanswered Questions

The event at the India AI Impact Summit where Sam Altman and Dario Amodei did not hold hands during a group photo has undeniably become a viral moment. The evidence points to a deliberate choice by both leaders to adopt a different gesture—raising their fists—instead of clasping hands, while other leaders on stage did.

The most consistently offered explanation across multiple reports is the well-documented rivalry between their respective companies, OpenAI and Anthropic, and the historical professional ties between the two CEOs. This rivalry, characterized by competition and the origin story of Anthropic’s founding, appears to be the primary lens through which the incident is understood.

Read More: Roxanne Fired From The Apprentice 2026 For Poor Bottled Water Branding

However, several aspects remain unconfirmed:

  • Direct Motivation: Neither Altman nor Amodei has publicly offered a specific explanation for their actions during the photo. Was the gesture a spontaneous decision, a pre-arranged signal, or a reaction to perceived pressure?

  • Intent: While framed as a display of rivalry, the precise intent behind the raised fists remains a matter of interpretation. Was it a statement of solidarity with their own companies, a refusal to feign unity, or something else entirely?

  • Broader Implications: Beyond signifying existing competition, does this non-hand-holding incident signal a deeper divide or a shift in how industry leaders choose to represent themselves in public forums?

The lack of direct statements means that the interpretation of the event is largely circumstantial, based on the known dynamics between the involved parties and the broader context of the AI industry. The incident, therefore, serves as a visual data point reflecting existing tensions rather than a disclosed sentiment.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Sam Altman and Dario Amodei not hold hands at the India AI Impact Summit on February 19, 2026?
During a group photo at the summit in New Delhi, Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic raised their fists instead of holding hands with each other. This action was different from other leaders present, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who did link hands.
Q: What is the reason given for Sam Altman and Dario Amodei not holding hands?
The main reason suggested is the strong business rivalry between their companies, OpenAI and Anthropic. Dario Amodei used to work at OpenAI before starting Anthropic, and there is ongoing competition between the two tech giants.
Q: Who else was at the India AI Impact Summit on February 19, 2026?
Key figures present included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Google/Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. Other leaders from the AI and tech industry were also in attendance.
Q: What happened during the group photo at the India AI Impact Summit?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a moment where leaders were expected to hold hands for a group photograph. While most leaders linked hands, Sam Altman and Dario Amodei, standing next to each other, chose to raise their fists instead.
Q: Has Sam Altman or Dario Amodei explained why they didn't hold hands?
No, neither Sam Altman nor Dario Amodei has publicly explained their specific reasons for not holding hands during the photo. The interpretation that it shows their companies' rivalry is based on their known business competition and history.