September 17, 2023
In a significant move to enhance the security and governance of its operations, OpenAI has announced the restructuring of its Security and Compliance Committee into an independent Board Oversight Committee. This change comes amidst heightened scrutiny over the company’s approach to AI safety and governance.
Altman’s Departure and Committee Restructuring
OpenAI, a leading AI research and development company, had previously established the Security and Compliance Committee in May 2023 to provide advice on critical security and safeguarding decisions for the company’s projects and operations. However, the recent decision to restructure the committee reflects a broader shift in the company’s approach to AI governance.
As part of this restructuring, Greg Altman, who had previously led the Security and Compliance Committee, has stepped down. Altman’s departure has been met with mixed reactions, with some observers suggesting that it indicates a need for a more robust and transparent approach to AI governance.
New Board Oversight Committee
The new Board Oversight Committee will be led by Zico Kolter, the Chair of the Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science. The committee will also include Adam D’Angelo, the co-founder and CEO of Quora; Paul Nakasone, a retired U.S. Army general; and Nicole Seligman, the former Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Sony. All three members are current members of OpenAI’s board of directors.
The formation of this independent committee is seen as a positive step towards ensuring that OpenAI’s AI projects are developed and deployed in a manner that is both safe and ethical. The committee’s focus will be on reviewing the company’s AI models, including the latest model, o1, which was recently assessed as having medium risk.
Increased Scrutiny and Public Concern
The move to restructure the committee comes amidst increased scrutiny from both the public and policymakers. This scrutiny has been heightened by the fact that nearly half of the company’s employees who were initially focused on AI long-term risks have left, many of whom have accused Altman of opposing real AI regulation.
Committee’s Role and Impact
The Board Oversight Committee will continue to review the company’s AI models, including providing briefings on major models and retaining the power to delay releases until security issues are addressed. OpenAI has also indicated that it is working to adopt the committee’s recommendations to improve transparency and collaboration with external groups, as well as to unify security practices across its product teams.
OpenAI’s Financial Plans and Future
In addition to the restructuring of its governance and security committee, OpenAI is also reportedly in the process of raising over $6.5 billion in a new round of funding, which could value the company at over $150 billion (approximately 1.07 trillion RMB). To secure this deal, OpenAI may have to abandon its hybrid non-profit corporate structure, which has been a point of contention for some observers.
Conclusion
The restructuring of OpenAI’s Security and Compliance Committee into an independent Board Oversight Committee is a significant step towards ensuring the company’s commitment to AI safety and governance. The appointment of experienced and knowledgeable individuals to the committee and the company’s focus on adopting their recommendations will likely help to build public trust and ensure the responsible development of AI technology.
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