OpenAI Hires $555K 'Head of Preparedness' to Tackle AI Risks; Is it AI's Toughest Job?

• OpenAI is hiring a "head of preparedness" for $555,000 annually plus equity, a role CEO Sam Altman calls "critical" and "stressful."
• The job involves assessing and mitigating potential harms of advanced AI models, from cybersecurity to mental health concerns, and preventing misuse.
• Responsibilities include leading risk identification, designing capability evaluations, developing threat models, and coordinating safety across teams.
• The ideal candidate needs a strong technical background, experience in AI safety, and the ability to make high-stakes judgments in ambiguous situations.
• This comes amidst growing concerns about AI risks, including lawsuits, public apprehension, and warnings from industry leaders about potential "catastrophic risks."

Why It Matters: OpenAI's high-stakes 'Head of Preparedness' role highlights urgent need to manage AI's growing risks.