Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has stepped down from the company’s Safety and Security Committee, a group formed to oversee safety decisions around OpenAI’s AI models and projects. The committee will now operate independently under the leadership of Zico Kolter, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Other members include Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, retired U.S. Army General Paul Nakasone, and former Sony EVP Nicole Seligman, all of whom are part of OpenAI’s board of directors.
Altman’s departure follows increasing scrutiny of OpenAI’s safety policies by U.S. lawmakers and concerns about the company’s approach to AI regulation. Recently, five U.S. senators questioned OpenAI’s policies, and there have been reports of staff departures, particularly among those focused on long-term AI risks.
Also Read: Sam Altman, Open AI CEO, Announced Release of Innovative AI Chatbots
At the same time, OpenAI has ramped up its federal lobbying efforts, allocating $800,000 for lobbying in the first half of 2024 compared to $260,000 last year. The Safety and Security Committee remains responsible for reviewing safety assessments of OpenAI’s models and has the power to delay releases until safety concerns are addressed.
Former board members Helen Toner and Tasha McCauley expressed concerns in May about the potential influence of profit motives on OpenAI’s ability to regulate itself, noting that self-governance could falter under such pressures. OpenAI’s financial goals are expanding, as the company is reportedly seeking to raise over $6.5 billion in funding, which could push its valuation to over $150 billion. There are rumors that OpenAI might abandon its current hybrid nonprofit structure to attract more investment.
