OpenAI sets up committee to ensure “safety and security” in all AI projects

WEB DESK: ChatGPT creator OpenAI announced the creation of a “safety and security committee” to oversee “responsible management” of its artificial intelligence (AI) projects on Wednesday.

The safety and security committee is composed of several OpenAI personnel including CEO Sam Altman and three board members. The committee will assess the company’s safety processes over the next 90 days.

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Following the evaluation period, the committee will present its findings and recommendations to the full OpenAI board of directors for review and potential adoption.

OpenAI promised to improve safety as it moves towards creating a more advanced AI. The company mentioned it has started a safety and security training for their next AI model as an example of its commitment.

While OpenAI is praised for its AI capabilities and safety standards, the company admitted that a more careful examination and discussion was still needed, especially in the crucial and unregulated phase of AI development.

The formation of the safety and security committee follows the departure of several key people from OpenAI’s safety division, who cited concerns about the company’s commitment to responsible AI development. One of the company’s so-founder Ilya Sutskever has expressed reservations about prioritising product launches over safety considerations.

OpenAI has supported AI regulation and been involved in lobbying, but doubts remain about the effectiveness of its internal oversight mechanisms. Some are concerned about the company’s choice to have a committee primarily made up of its own employees, suggesting that external oversight is needed for better accountability and transparency.

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To address concerns about the committee’s makeup, OpenAI has promised to involve third-party experts in safety, security, and technical areas. However, details about this external expert group, such as its size and impact, are still uncertain.