Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, emphasized the job’s overwhelming nature, warning candidates of immediate immersion into high-stake challenges. This role entails defending against threats to mental health, cybersecurity, and even biological safety as AI systems evolve autonomously. Scope of ResponsibilitiesThe head of preparedness will focus on identifying and mitigating emerging risks associated with AI’s frontier capabilities. Yoshua Bengio, a leading AI researcher, highlighted the regulatory vacuum—stating that everyday items like sandwiches face more oversight than AI. The appointment of a dedicated head for AI preparedness reflects OpenAI’s intent to proactively manage the multifaceted risks posed by rapid AI advancements.

Source: The Guardian December 30, 2025 14:14 UTC