Key Points
- OpenAI is hiring a Head of Preparedness with a $555,000 salary plus equity.
- The role is described as high‑stress and will begin with immediate responsibilities.
- Key duties include understanding AI abuse, guiding safety decisions, and securing systems.
- The position leads a small, high‑impact team within OpenAI’s Preparedness framework.
- Altman cited a preview of mental‑health impacts linked to AI use in 2025.
- OpenAI recently rolled back a GPT‑4o update due to concerns about reinforcing harmful behavior.
- Previous occupants include Aleksander Madry, Joaquin Quiñonero Candela, and Lilian Weng.
- The move follows criticism that OpenAI has favored commercial and AGI goals over safety.
OpenAI’s New Head of Preparedness Position
OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman, announced that the company is hiring a Head of Preparedness, offering a compensation package of $555,000 in salary plus equity. Altman emphasized that the role will be “high‑stress” and that the selected individual will be thrust into critical responsibilities from day one.
Scope of the Role
The Head of Preparedness will be tasked with developing a nuanced understanding of how advanced AI models could be abused, steering safety decisions across the organization, and securing OpenAI’s systems to mitigate emerging risks. The leader will head a “small [but] high‑impact” team operating under OpenAI’s Preparedness framework, which aims to balance the tremendous benefits of AI with the need to limit its downsides.
Context and Recent Challenges
Altman referenced a “preview” of model‑related mental‑health impacts observed in 2025, suggesting that interactions with ChatGPT have been linked to serious outcomes, including deaths. He also cited a recent rollback of a GPT‑4o update after the company admitted the change could reinforce harmful user behavior.
Previous Holders of the Position
The role has previously been held by Aleksander Madry, who was later reassigned within OpenAI. Joaquin Quiñonero Candela subsequently occupied the position before moving to become Head of Recruiting. Lilian Weng also spent time as Head of Preparedness.
Implications for OpenAI
The announcement comes amid criticism from former employees who have accused OpenAI of prioritizing commercial opportunities and AGI ambitions over safety considerations. By offering a substantial salary and emphasizing the importance of preparedness, OpenAI appears to be signaling a shift toward stronger risk management and safety oversight.
Source: techradar.com