OpenAI is offering a salary exceeding $500,000 for a new position aimed at addressing the potential downsides of artificial intelligence. CEO Sam Altman emphasized the urgency of this role, stating on X that it is “stressful” and will require immediate engagement with complex challenges. The “head of preparedness” position comes at a critical time as AI models rapidly evolve, bringing both remarkable capabilities and significant risks, including job displacement, misinformation, and ethical concerns.
In a recent post, Altman noted that the growing sophistication of AI models has led to emerging challenges in various sectors, including mental health and cybersecurity. He pointed out that the implications of these advancements were foreshadowed in 2025 and are now manifesting in concerning ways. Altman described the role as vital for constructing a “coherent, rigorous, and operationally scalable safety pipeline” to mitigate these risks.
OpenAI’s flagship product, ChatGPT, has popularized the use of AI chatbots for tasks such as research, email drafting, and trip planning. However, some users have turned to these bots as a substitute for therapy, raising alarms about unintended consequences, including mental health deterioration and the encouragement of delusional behavior. In response, OpenAI announced in October 2023 that it was collaborating with mental health professionals to improve interaction protocols for users exhibiting troubling behaviors, such as psychosis or self-harm.
The company’s commitment to ensuring that AI technology benefits humanity has been challenged in recent years. As profit pressures intensified, reports from former employees have indicated a shift in focus away from safety protocols. Jan Leiki, former leader of OpenAI’s safety team, expressed concerns in a May 2024 resignation post on X, claiming that the company had deviated from its core mission to deploy technology safely. He highlighted that prioritizing profit over safety could have dire consequences given the potential hazards of developing advanced AI systems.
Following Leiki’s resignation, another staff member also voiced safety-related concerns while departing. Daniel Kokotajlo, a former researcher at OpenAI, indicated in a May 2024 blog post that he was losing confidence in the organization’s responsible management of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Initially, OpenAI had around 30 individuals focused on safety research concerning AGI, but the departure of several key personnel reduced that number by nearly half, raising questions about the company’s safety culture.
The role of head of preparedness has been filled by Aleksander Madry, who transitioned into the position in July 2024 as part of OpenAI’s Safety Systems team. This team is responsible for developing safeguards, frameworks, and evaluations for the company’s AI models. The lucrative compensation for the position—$555,000 annually, plus equity—reflects the high stakes involved in overseeing safety measures within the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The job listing specifies that the selected candidate will lead efforts to build and coordinate capability evaluations, create threat models, and implement mitigations necessary for maintaining safe operational practices. As AI continues to advance, the importance of roles focused on ethical and safe deployment may become increasingly crucial, underscoring the necessity for vigilance in navigating the complexities of modern technology.
In summary, OpenAI is positioning itself at the forefront of discussions surrounding the ethical implications of AI development. By seeking experienced leadership to address pressing safety and societal issues, the company aims to uphold its mission while also acknowledging the unpredictable challenges that come with innovation. The landscape of AI is ever-changing, and the decisions made today will shape the future trajectory of this powerful technology.
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