OpenAI is launching its "Preparedness" team to assess a wide range of AI-related risks, focusing on threats such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks, individualized persuasion, cybersecurity, and autonomous replication and adaptation. This initiative aims to address safety concerns associated with AI, especially as AI systems continue to advance.




OpenAI, the AI research and deployment organization known for projects like ChatGPT, is taking a proactive approach to address a range of AI-related risks. On October 25, OpenAI announced the establishment of its "Preparedness" team, dedicated to assessing and addressing potential catastrophic threats associated with AI.


The Preparedness team will focus on various AI-related risks, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, as well as individualized persuasion, cybersecurity, and autonomous replication and adaptation. This initiative aims to better understand and protect against potential misuse and harm that could result from the advancement of AI technology.


The team will be led by Aleksander Madry and will seek to answer questions related to the misuse of advanced AI systems. This includes assessing the potential dangers of using frontier AI models for harmful purposes and the likelihood of malicious actors deploying stolen AI model weights.


OpenAI recognizes the dual nature of AI technology, acknowledging that while it has the potential to benefit humanity, it also poses increasingly severe risks. As AI models continue to advance, the potential for misuse and unintended consequences grows. The establishment of the Preparedness team underscores OpenAI's commitment to addressing these safety concerns.


To support the safety of highly capable AI systems, OpenAI is actively working on its approach to catastrophic risk preparedness. The organization is also seeking talent with diverse technical backgrounds to join the preparedness team. Additionally, OpenAI has launched the AI Preparedness Challenge for catastrophic misuse prevention, offering $25,000 in API credits to the top 10 submissions.


OpenAI's move to create a specialized team to address AI-related risks is part of its broader commitment to AI safety. The organization aims to ensure that AI technologies are developed and used responsibly, taking into account both the positive potential and the associated risks.


This development reflects the increasing awareness within the AI community and the wider technology industry about the potential risks and challenges posed by advanced AI systems. Initiatives like this are essential to proactively address and mitigate AI-related risks and to promote the safe and responsible development of AI technology.


(HELEN PARTZ, COINTELEGRAPH, 2023)