Establishing Independent Governance
OpenAI is restructuring its internal Safety and Security Committee to function independently, according to a company announcement. Originally chaired by CEO Sam Altman, the committee will now be led by Zico Kolter, a Carnegie Mellon professor, signaling a shift towards independent governance. This move comes amid growing concerns about the company’s approach to AI safety.
Addressing Safety Concerns
The changes follow significant criticism of OpenAI’s safety culture. In June, a group of employees, both current and former, published an open letter warning of the dangers associated with the company’s AI technologies. The letter underscored the urgency of addressing these risks, prompting internal reforms. Several key figures, including co-founder Ilya Sutskever, have resigned, citing similar concerns.
External Pressure from Legislators
In July, five U.S. senators questioned OpenAI’s safety measures in a letter to Sam Altman. They raised concerns about how the company handles emerging risks tied to its AI models. This external pressure likely contributed to OpenAI’s decision to establish a more independent oversight body, capable of intervening in the release of new technologies.
New Committee Powers
The revamped committee will play a critical role in the release of future AI models. OpenAI has given the board authority to review upcoming models and delay their launch if safety concerns arise. For example, the committee recently evaluated OpenAI’s latest o1 model, code-named “Strawberry,” which was assessed as a medium-risk release.
A Framework for the Future
OpenAI is enhancing its safety framework, integrating more comprehensive safety assessments into its model launch process. The company aims to establish clear success criteria for model releases, ensuring that safety is a priority. Alongside Kolter, other members of the committee include Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, retired Army General Paul Nakasone, and former Sony general counsel Nicole Seligman.
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