OpenAI disbanded its preparedness team at the end of last month, according to the Financial Times. The unit was responsible for assessing whether models posed serious risks and developing ways to mitigate them, such as preventing a scenario where an AI system hacks another company. Responsibility for these issues has instead been divided up for specific areas like bio and cyber, then moved into existing teams.
This is the latest change at the company, which has been in upheaval as it heads towards what is expected to be a massive IPO. Over the last few years, it has slowly torn down its more reach-led model, dissolving its AGI safety group and other dedicated safety units. The move signals a shift from having a centralised safety function to embedding oversight directly within product teams. This structure reduces the number of specialised roles focused solely on existential risk while relying on individual engineers to handle safety concerns in their daily work.
