4 months ago
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OpenAI’s efforts to regain public trust will likely hinge on the transparency and effectiveness of its newly established oversight board.
OpenAI, the research lab behind ChatGPT, is struggling to gain public trust. Recently, its chief scientist departed, and its safety team was disbanded. In response, OpenAI plans to create an oversight board to address the increasing concerns about the risks of its advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, according to Bloomberg.
The newly formed committee will dedicate the next 90 days to thoroughly evaluating the protection currently in place for OpenAI’s AI models. Their findings will be compiled into a report for the board’s review, followed by a public update outlining the adopted safety recommendations.
While OpenAI presses forward with safety evaluations. It has also revealed that training for its latest AI model is already underway. The oversight board comes at a time when the company’s rapid advancements in AI have sparked concerns regarding responsible development and risk mitigation.
Leadership Changes at OpenAI
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman‘s temporary removal in November 2023 due to a boardroom dispute caused significant concerns. The disagreement revolved around differing opinions between Altman and co-founder Ilya Sutskever on AI development speed and necessary safety measures.
The concern grew when Sutskever and key team member Jan Leike, both leaders of OpenAI’s “superalignment team,” left. Leike resigned, citing insufficient computing resources, a complaint echoed by other departing employees, highlighting OpenAI’s struggles to support vital projects.
After Sutskever’s exit, OpenAI disbanded the superalignment team. Nonetheless, the company assures the public that this research will continue within its research unit, led by co-founder John Schulman, now Head of Alignment Science.
OpenAI has faced challenges with staff departures. Last week, the company reversed a policy that stripped stock options from former employees who criticized OpenAI. A spokesperson acknowledged the criticism and anticipated more, emphasizing efforts to address these concerns.
Oversight Committee Formation and Members
The new oversight committee includes a mix of internal and external members. Three board members – Chairman Bret Taylor, Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, and former Sony Entertainment executive Nicole Seligman – will be joined by six OpenAI employees, including Schulman and Altman.
The company has also promised ongoing consultations with outside experts, specifically mentioning Rob Joyce, a former Homeland Security advisor, and John Carlin, who worked in the Department of Justice under the Biden administration.
OpenAI’s efforts to regain public trust will depend on the transparency and effectiveness of its new oversight board. The upcoming report detailing the committee’s findings and the subsequent implementation of safety recommendations will be key in showing the company’s commitment to responsible AI development.
