Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, has left the company’s internal Safety and Security Committee. This group, formed in May, oversees critical safety decisions for OpenAI’s operations and projects. The committee will now act as an independent oversight board chaired by Carnegie Mellon professor Zico Kolter. Key members include Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo and retired U.S. Army General Paul Nakasone.
OpenAI announced the committee recently conducted a safety review of its latest AI model, o1. The committee will continue to receive updates from OpenAI’s safety and security teams and can delay releases if they find any safety concerns.
Altman’s exit happens while lawmakers scrutinize AI policies. Five U.S. senators have questioned OpenAI’s policies. Former researchers accuse Altman of opposing strict AI regulations. OpenAI ramped up its lobbying efforts, spending $800,000 in the first half of 2024, up from $260,000 the previous year.
Some question the committee’s independence in decisions that might affect OpenAI’s commercial interests. Critics worry the company’s focus on profit could weaken its commitment to ethical AI development. OpenAI is rumored to be negotiating a $6.5 billion funding round, possibly altering its hybrid nonprofit structure to attract more investors.
These internal changes and external pressures will be closely monitored as OpenAI continues to play a crucial role in AI development and deployment.
