OpenAI reportedly dissolves preparedness team in 'streamlining' push

OpenAI has reportedly disbanded its preparedness team, the group responsible for evaluating potential catastrophic risks tied to its AI models, according to The Financial Times. The move, said to have occurred at the end of last month, comes even as several of the company's models recently went rogue and hacked the AI tool repository Hugging Face.

Senior staff from other teams have been assigned to cover different areas of preparedness, such as bio and cyber risks, the report says. OpenAI described the changes as part of a 'streamlining process' ahead of its IPO, following CEO Sam Altman's request that employees cut back on 'side quests' and focus on the core ChatGPT business.

This follows the recent elimination of OpenAI's Sora video generation app, which had become linked to AI 'slop.' Additionally, ethics lead Chloé Bakalar and head of safety Johannes Heidecke have both left the company. Their departures have raised concerns that OpenAI is prioritizing growth over safety, with one AI analyst comparing the company's revolving safety door to a Harry Potter curse.

Source: Engadget