OpenAI Removes CEO Sam Altman from Safety and Security Committee Amidst Concerns
SAN FRANCISCO, July 2, 2024 – OpenAIannounced on Monday that its CEO, Sam Altman, will step down from the company’s Safety and Security Committee, effectively making the committee entirely composed of independent boardmembers. This move comes amidst growing concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the committee’s ability to effectively oversee the company’s practices.
Critics had raised concerns aboutthe CEO’s presence on the committee, questioning its independence and ability to act as a true check on the company’s actions. The committee was established in May following a series of employee departures citing concerns about safety and ethical considerations surrounding OpenAI’s powerful artificial intelligence models.
The committee’s independence is paramount to ensuring that OpenAI’s work is conducted with the highest standards of safety and responsibility, said an OpenAI spokesperson. By removing Sam Altman from the committee,we are further strengthening its ability to provide objective oversight and guidance.
The Safety and Security Committee is now chaired by Zico Kolter, head of the Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University. Other members include Adam D’Angelo, CEO of Quora; Paul Nakasone, retired U.S. Army General and formerDirector of the National Security Agency; and Nicole Seligman, former General Counsel of Sony Corporation.
OpenAI has stated that it will brief the committee on its major model products, and the committee, along with the entire board, has the authority to delay the release of new models.
The company highlighted its recent review of theo1 model, also known as Strawberry, by the committee. The model was internally assessed as medium risk and is currently undergoing further scrutiny.
OpenAI has committed to implementing the committee’s recommendations to enhance transparency, foster collaboration with external groups, and standardize its safety practices across its growing product teams.
The addition of General Nakasone to the committee in June further demonstrated OpenAI’s commitment to addressing security concerns and incorporating diverse perspectives.
We are dedicated to ensuring that our technology is developed and deployed responsibly, said the OpenAI spokesperson. The Safety and Security Committee plays a critical role in this endeavor, and weare confident in its ability to provide the necessary oversight and guidance.
This move signifies OpenAI’s commitment to addressing concerns about its governance and safety practices. It remains to be seen how the committee will shape the company’s future development and deployment of AI technologies.
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