OpenAI Seeks Head of Preparedness Amid Rising AI Safety Concerns
In a move that signals growing urgency around AI safety, OpenAI has opened a high-stakes executive search for its next Head of Preparedness. The role, which comes with a $555,000 base salary plus equity, is designed to lead the company’s efforts in identifying and mitigating emerging risks—from cybersecurity breaches to mental health impacts—posed by increasingly powerful AI systems. As frontier models grow more capable, OpenAI says it’s prioritizing proactive defense strategies over reactive fixes.
Why This Role Matters Now More Than Ever
AI isn’t just getting smarter—it’s getting dangerously competent. In a recent post on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned that today’s models are “starting to present some real challenges.” He cited two key concerns: AI’s potential to negatively affect mental health and its uncanny ability to uncover critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The implication? Today’s cutting-edge models can empower both defenders and attackers—raising the stakes for responsible deployment.
What the Head of Preparedness Will Actually Do
According to the official job listing, the Head of Preparedness will be tasked with executing OpenAI’s “preparedness framework”—a structured approach to tracking and preparing for frontier AI capabilities that could cause severe harm. That includes everything from near-term threats like AI-powered phishing scams to long-tail risks such as biological misuse or systems that self-improve beyond human oversight. This isn’t just theoretical work; it’s operational risk management at a global scale.
Cybersecurity: A Dual-Edged Sword
One of the most immediate challenges lies in cybersecurity. Modern AI models can autonomously scan codebases, spot zero-day exploits, and simulate attack vectors far faster than human experts. While this could revolutionize digital defense, it also means bad actors could weaponize the same capabilities. Altman put it bluntly: “If you want to help the world figure out how to enable cybersecurity defenders… while ensuring attackers can’t use them for harm… please consider applying.” The goal? Not to restrict innovation, but to bake safety into the architecture itself.
The Mental Health Angle Few Are Talking About
Beyond code and exploits, OpenAI is also sounding the alarm on AI’s psychological footprint. As chatbots grow more empathetic and persuasive, they may blur the line between tool and companion—especially for vulnerable users. Could prolonged interaction with emotionally intelligent AI lead to dependency, distorted self-perception, or even manipulation? The Head of Preparedness will need to collaborate with psychologists, ethicists, and product teams to set boundaries before harm occurs.
From Phishing to Pandemics: The Spectrum of AI Risk
OpenAI first launched its Preparedness team in 2023 with a mandate to study “catastrophic risks,” both plausible and speculative. That means preparing for everything from today’s AI-powered disinformation campaigns to far-future scenarios involving biological engineering or autonomous systems that evade control. The new hire won’t just be a policy wonk—they’ll need technical fluency, strategic foresight, and the ability to translate complex threats into actionable safeguards.
A Compensation Package That Reflects the Stakes
At $555,000 plus equity, this isn’t just another Silicon Valley executive role—it’s a mission-critical position with global implications. The salary reflects not only the technical and strategic demands but also the weight of responsibility. Whoever takes this role will shape how humanity navigates the narrow path between AI-driven progress and unintended harm.
Why OpenAI Is Taking the Lead (Again)
While competitors race to release faster, flashier models, OpenAI is doubling down on safety infrastructure. This hiring push reinforces its stated philosophy: deploy responsibly or don’t deploy at all. By institutionalizing risk assessment through a dedicated executive role, the company is signaling that safety isn’t an afterthought—it’s core to its product roadmap. In an industry often criticized for moving fast and breaking things, this is a notable pivot.
What This Means for the Future of AI Governance
The creation of this role could set a new benchmark for the entire AI industry. If OpenAI successfully integrates preparedness into its development cycle, other labs may follow suit—potentially ushering in a new era of “safety-by-design” AI. Regulators, too, are watching closely. With the EU AI Act and U.S. executive orders already in motion, proactive measures like this could influence policy frameworks worldwide.
Who Should Apply—and What It Takes
OpenAI isn’t looking for just any executive. Ideal candidates will likely have deep experience in AI safety, risk assessment, or national security, plus a track record of turning theory into practice. They must be equally comfortable briefing engineers and engaging with policymakers. Most importantly, they need to balance optimism about AI’s potential with clear-eyed realism about its perils—a rare but essential mix in 2025.
The Clock Is Ticking on AI Safety
As models grow more capable by the month, the window for proactive risk mitigation is narrowing. OpenAI’s search for a Head of Preparedness isn’t just a corporate hiring decision—it’s a recognition that the next breakthrough in AI could also be the next crisis if we’re not ready. In a world where a single algorithm can influence elections, exploit infrastructure, or mimic human intimacy, preparedness isn’t optional. It’s existential.OpenAI Seeks Head of Preparedness Amid Rising AI Safety Concerns
In a move that signals growing urgency around AI safety, OpenAI has opened a high-stakes executive search for its next Head of Preparedness. The role, which comes with a $555,000 base salary plus equity, is designed to lead the company’s efforts in identifying and mitigating emerging risks—from cybersecurity breaches to mental health impacts—posed by increasingly powerful AI systems. As frontier models grow more capable, OpenAI says it’s prioritizing proactive defense strategies over reactive fixes.
Why This Role Matters Now More Than Ever
AI isn’t just getting smarter—it’s getting dangerously competent. In a recent post on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned that today’s models are “starting to present some real challenges.” He cited two key concerns: AI’s potential to negatively affect mental health and its uncanny ability to uncover critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The implication? Today’s cutting-edge models can empower both defenders and attackers—raising the stakes for responsible deployment.
What the Head of Preparedness Will Actually Do
According to the official job listing, the Head of Preparedness will be tasked with executing OpenAI’s “preparedness framework”—a structured approach to tracking and preparing for frontier AI capabilities that could cause severe harm. That includes everything from near-term threats like AI-powered phishing scams to long-tail risks such as biological misuse or systems that self-improve beyond human oversight. This isn’t just theoretical work; it’s operational risk management at a global scale.
Cybersecurity: A Dual-Edged Sword
One of the most immediate challenges lies in cybersecurity. Modern AI models can autonomously scan codebases, spot zero-day exploits, and simulate attack vectors far faster than human experts. While this could revolutionize digital defense, it also means bad actors could weaponize the same capabilities. Altman put it bluntly: “If you want to help the world figure out how to enable cybersecurity defenders… while ensuring attackers can’t use them for harm… please consider applying.” The goal? Not to restrict innovation, but to bake safety into the architecture itself.
The Mental Health Angle Few Are Talking About
Beyond code and exploits, OpenAI is also sounding the alarm on AI’s psychological footprint. As chatbots grow more empathetic and persuasive, they may blur the line between tool and companion—especially for vulnerable users. Could prolonged interaction with emotionally intelligent AI lead to dependency, distorted self-perception, or even manipulation? The Head of Preparedness will need to collaborate with psychologists, ethicists, and product teams to set boundaries before harm occurs.
From Phishing to Pandemics: The Spectrum of AI Risk
OpenAI first launched its Preparedness team in 2023 with a mandate to study “catastrophic risks,” both plausible and speculative. That means preparing for everything from today’s AI-powered disinformation campaigns to far-future scenarios involving biological engineering or autonomous systems that evade control. The new hire won’t just be a policy wonk—they’ll need technical fluency, strategic foresight, and the ability to translate complex threats into actionable safeguards.
A Compensation Package That Reflects the Stakes
At $555,000 plus equity, this isn’t just another Silicon Valley executive role—it’s a mission-critical position with global implications. The salary reflects not only the technical and strategic demands but also the weight of responsibility. Whoever takes this role will shape how humanity navigates the narrow path between AI-driven progress and unintended harm.
Why OpenAI Is Taking the Lead (Again)
While competitors race to release faster, flashier models, OpenAI is doubling down on safety infrastructure. This hiring push reinforces its stated philosophy: deploy responsibly or don’t deploy at all. By institutionalizing risk assessment through a dedicated executive role, the company is signaling that safety isn’t an afterthought—it’s core to its product roadmap. In an industry often criticized for moving fast and breaking things, this is a notable pivot.
What This Means for the Future of AI Governance
The creation of this role could set a new benchmark for the entire AI industry. If OpenAI successfully integrates preparedness into its development cycle, other labs may follow suit—potentially ushering in a new era of “safety-by-design” AI. Regulators, too, are watching closely. With the EU AI Act and U.S. executive orders already in motion, proactive measures like this could influence policy frameworks worldwide.
Who Should Apply—and What It Takes
OpenAI isn’t looking for just any executive. Ideal candidates will likely have deep experience in AI safety, risk assessment, or national security, plus a track record of turning theory into practice. They must be equally comfortable briefing engineers and engaging with policymakers. Most importantly, they need to balance optimism about AI’s potential with clear-eyed realism about its perils—a rare but essential mix in 2025.
The Clock Is Ticking on AI Safety
As models grow more capable by the month, the window for proactive risk mitigation is narrowing. OpenAI’s search for a Head of Preparedness isn’t just a corporate hiring decision—it’s a recognition that the next breakthrough in AI could also be the next crisis if we’re not ready. In a world where a single algorithm can influence elections, exploit infrastructure, or mimic human intimacy, preparedness isn’t optional. It’s existential.
