OpenAI Strengthens Safety Team with Key Hire from Anthropic
In a significant move to address emerging artificial intelligence risks, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced the appointment of Dylan Scandinaro as the company's new Head of Preparedness. Scandinaro, previously a technical team member at rival AI firm Anthropic, will lead OpenAI's efforts to prepare for and mitigate potential dangers associated with increasingly powerful AI models.
Preparing for the Next Generation of AI Systems
Altman revealed that OpenAI is approaching a critical phase in its development timeline, stating that the company will soon be working with extremely powerful models that require commensurate safeguards. This strategic hire comes as OpenAI prepares to deploy more advanced AI systems that could potentially pose significant risks if not properly managed.
"Things are about to move quite fast and we will be working with extremely powerful models soon," Altman wrote in a social media post. "This will require commensurate safeguards to ensure we can continue to deliver tremendous benefits."
Scandinaro's Critical Role in AI Safety
The OpenAI CEO expressed strong confidence in Scandinaro's capabilities, describing him as "by far the best candidate I have met, anywhere, for this role." Altman emphasized that Scandinaro will lead comprehensive efforts to address severe risks associated with advanced AI systems, working closely with leadership to implement necessary changes across the entire organization.
"He has his work cut out for him for sure, but I will sleep better tonight," Altman added, highlighting the importance of this appointment for OpenAI's safety infrastructure. "I am looking forward to working with him very closely to make the changes we will need across our entire company."
Industry Implications and Safety Focus
This hiring decision reflects growing industry recognition of the need for robust safety measures as AI capabilities advance rapidly. The move also demonstrates increasing talent mobility between leading AI companies, with Scandinaro bringing valuable experience from Anthropic, known for its strong emphasis on AI safety research.
OpenAI's decision to create and fill this specialized preparedness role signals a proactive approach to managing the potential risks associated with next-generation AI systems. As artificial intelligence technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, such safety-focused appointments are becoming increasingly crucial for responsible development and deployment.
