OpenAI’s New Board Members Are Now the Boss of Sam Altman (If They Want to Be)
OpenAI, the prominent artificial intelligence (AI) research company, has announced the appointment of a new Board of Directors. Despite a recent leadership shake-up, the Board holds the power to overrule CEO Sam Altman on any decisions he makes, including the potential release of artificial general intelligence (AGI), an AI system surpassing human intelligence.
In the recently released guidelines titled Preparedness Framework, OpenAI outlined the authority of the Board of Directors. These guidelines state that while Altman and the OpenAI Leadership team will be responsible for decision-making, the Board retains the right to reverse any choices made. This change in power dynamics comes after Altman and OpenAI President Greg Brockman lost their board seats, resulting in the company’s leadership no longer having the final say.
The restructuring of the Board, which now consists of former CEO of Salesforce Bret Taylor, former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and active CEO of Quora Adam D’Angelo, suggests a shift in focus for OpenAI. Whereas the previous board largely comprised AI safety advocates and researchers, the new members have experience in politics and profit-seeking ventures, and are known to support Altman.
OpenAI’s Preparedness team will provide monthly documentation to the Board of Directors regarding the progress toward AGI. This move aims to ensure that the Board remains fully informed of developments in the field. Notably, the Board expressed dissatisfaction with Altman’s communication, which was a significant factor in his removal as CEO.
The primary objective of the Board of Directors is to ensure that AGI’s benefits are accessible to all of humanity. However, concerns have arisen, given Altman’s alignment with profit-seeking interests. This apprehension is further fueled by the mass exodus of employees and Microsoft’s support for the board’s decision to remove Altman.
OpenAI’s Preparedness Framework and commitment to transparency highlight the company’s dedication to evaluating, forecasting, and mitigating any catastrophic risks associated with AGI. Last week, OpenAI’s Superalignment team published a paper proposing a process to train superhuman AI systems, reinforcing the company’s active pursuit of AGI.
As OpenAI takes significant steps towards the development and potential deployment of AGI, the decision-making authority of the Board of Directors remains crucial. Its composition, now featuring prominent figures with different backgrounds, introduces a fresh perspective on balancing profitability and the mission to benefit humanity with this groundbreaking technology.
