OpenAI is once again signaling just how seriously it takes artificial intelligence safety. This week, CEO Sam Altman confirmed that the company is searching for a new Head of Preparedness a role he openly described as one of the most stressful and important jobs inside the organization and one that can pay more than half a million dollars per year.
The Head of Preparedness position is focused on identifying, evaluating, and helping prevent the most dangerous potential outcomes of advanced AI systems. The team studies what could happen if powerful AI models are misused, misaligned, or deployed without sufficient safeguards.
In a post on X, CEO Sam Altman acknowledged that AI models are “starting to present some real challenges,” including the potential impact of models on mental health, as well as systems that are now so advanced at computer security that they are beginning to uncover critical vulnerabilities. These concerns sit alongside scenarios involving cybercrime, misinformation campaigns, biological threats, and broader systemic risks.
Altman has previously said that the Preparedness group is responsible for stress‑testing OpenAI most advanced models before they are released, simulating worst‑case scenarios and ensuring new safety barriers are in place before public launch.
According to OpenAI’s job listing and Altman’s own comments, compensation for the role can exceed $500,000 annually, reflecting the extreme level of responsibility attached to the job. The position demands a rare combination of technical expertise, policy knowledge, risk analysis, and leadership experience.
OpenAI is seeking candidates who can bridge the gap between cutting‑edge AI research and real‑world safety policy people capable of guiding decisions that may affect governments, industries, and potentially billions of users.
The role also ties into OpenAI’s broader safety push: in October, the company said it was working closely with mental health professionals to improve how ChatGPT responds to users who show concerning behavior, including signs of psychosis or self‑harm.
The hiring push comes as global scrutiny of artificial intelligence continues to intensify. Governments in the U.S., Europe, and Asia are racing to introduce new AI regulations, while experts warn that rapidly improving AI models could be misused for fraud, election interference, or even the design of harmful biological materials.
OpenAI has positioned itself as a leader in AI safety discussions, publicly supporting regulation, transparency, and international cooperation. The company first announced the creation of its Preparedness team in 2023, saying it would study potential “catastrophic risks,” ranging from immediate threats like phishing attacks to more speculative dangers such as nuclear‑level scenarios. Today, the team plays a central role in that effort, working closely with policymakers, researchers, and internal engineering teams.
Altman has openly acknowledged that the job is “stressful,” largely because it involves constantly thinking about worst‑case outcomes and long‑term global consequences. But it is also one of the most influential roles at OpenAI, shaping decisions around how and when new AI technologies are released to the public.