More specifically, the AI is likely to be scientifically curious because it is a likely way to further its goals: understand the universe so it can be more effi

More specifically, the AI is likely to be scientifically curious because it is a likely way to further its goals: understand the universe so it can be more efficient at doing whatever it is it is programmed to do. Altruism on the other hand sounds more like an end goal, not just an instrumental, intermediate goal. Unless the AI is specifically programmed to be altruist, it will likely be utterly indifferent. Which if it becomes powerful enough will be more like trampling an ant without even noticing it. Then comes the really difficult part: programming altruism. What does that mean exactly? Ultimately, it boils down to tell the AI what we want, except we don't exactly know what we want, let alone what we will want once we learn more, become wiser etc. We don't want the AI to keep us in soft rooms with children toys and morphine shots just because we asked it to keep us safe and happy…