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OpenAI Seeks Head of Preparedness to Lead AI Risk Strategy

The move reflects pressure to shore up safety after a year of mental-health controversies.

Overview

  • CEO Sam Altman announced the opening and called it a stressful role, citing recent challenges posed by rapidly improving models.
  • The hire will run OpenAI’s Preparedness framework, building capability evaluations, threat models, and mitigations into a scalable safety pipeline.
  • The remit covers mental-health impacts, AI-enabled cybersecurity risks, biological capabilities, and guardrails for self-improving systems.
  • The position sits within the Safety Systems team in San Francisco and pays $555,000 per year plus equity, according to the listing.
  • The search follows leadership churn in preparedness and safety functions, with Aleksander Madry reassigned in 2024 and subsequent departures and moves by Lilian Weng and Joaquin Quinonero Candela.