OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is hiring for a “Head of Preparedness.” This role aims to help mitigate both external threats and those from within as AI grows more intelligent.
As Artificial Intelligence becomes more prevalent in modern society, the software only grows more capable. Whether it’s through direct conversations or absorbing intellect from thousands of pirated books, it’s growing more capable by the day.
As such, AI is growing riskier by the day, too. From arresting innocent civilians to replacing countless jobs around the globe, it’s certainly causing a stir.
To look ahead and course-correct before things get wildly out of hand, OpenAI is hiring for what CEO Sam Altman calls a “critical role at an important time.” The company is looking for a “Head of Preparedness.”
AI is growing more intelligent by the day, especially given its ability to ‘self-improve.’
OpenAI looking to hire Head of Preparedness
As AI grows more intelligent, it poses threats not just to the general public, but even to those building the programs. As Altman admitted in an X post on December 29, 2025, AI is “starting to present some real challenges.”
Raising one key example, Altman addressed the “potential impact” of AI on “mental health…something we saw a preview of in 2025.”
We previously reported how OpenAI was sued for wrongful death after ChatGPT allegedly encouraged their son to take his own life.
“We are entering a world where we need more nuanced understanding and measurement of how [AI’s] capabilities could be abused,” Altman said when announcing a new role at the company.
The Head of Preparedness would lead a dedicated ‘preparedness team’ that was first established in 2023. The crew is responsible for studying potential “catastrophic risks” and attempting to “gain confidence in the safety of running systems that can self-improve.” It is thus, inherently a “stressful job.”
OpenAI is ready to pay $550,000 USD plus equity for the right candidate to help control AI and plan for every worst-case scenario.
