There is OpenAI announced significant changes to its safety and security practices, including the creation of a new independent board oversight committee. The move comes with one notable change: CEO Sam Altman is no longer part of the security committee, marking a departure from the previous structure.
The newly formed Safety and Security Committee (SSC) will be chaired by Zico Colter, Director of Carnegie Mellon University’s Machine Learning Department. Other key members include Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, retired US Army General Paul Nakasone, and former Sony Corporation EVP and General Counsel Nicole Seligman.
It replaces the new committee previous The Safety and Security Committee, which was created in June 2024 and included Altman as a member. The initial committee was tasked with making recommendations on critical safety and security decisions for OpenAI projects and operations.
The tasks of the SSC now go beyond recommendations. It will have the authority to oversee safety assessments for major model releases and oversee model releases. Crucially, the committee will have the power to delay the launch until safety concerns are adequately addressed.
This restructuring follows a period of investigation into OpenAI’s commitment to AI security. The company has faced criticism in the past for disbanding its Superalignment team and leaving key security personnel. Altman’s removal from the security committee appears to be an attempt to allay concerns about a potential conflict of interest in the company’s security oversight.
OpenAI’s latest security initiative also includes plans to strengthen security measures, increase transparency in their work, and collaborate with external organizations. The company has already reached agreements with the AI Security Institute of the US and the UK to collaborate on researching emerging AI security risks and standards for reliable AI.
