Sam Altman Calls $555,000 OpenAI Safety Role ‘Stressful’ as AI Risks Grow

OpenAI is offering a salary of more than half a million dollars for a senior safety role as concerns about artificial intelligence grow. CEO sam altman described the position as demanding and critical, highlighting the increasing challenges posed by rapidly improving AI models.

sam altman on the High-Stakes Preparedness Role

According to sam altman, the “head of preparedness” role is stressful and requires jumping into complex problems immediately. He emphasized that models are advancing quickly, bringing both benefits and serious risks. Altman said the role comes at an important moment as AI capabilities expand into sensitive areas like mental health and computer security.

Growing Risks From Advanced AI Models

Sam altman pointed to emerging downsides of AI, including job loss, misinformation, abuse by malicious actors, environmental damage, and erosion of human agency. He noted that OpenAI has already seen early signs of mental health impacts in 2025 and that models are now beginning to uncover critical computer security vulnerabilities.

Safety Concerns and Staff Departures at OpenAI

While OpenAI’s mission centers on benefiting humanity, former staffers have said safety has at times taken a backseat to product development. Jan Leiki, the former safety team leader, and Daniel Kokotajlo both resigned in 2024, citing concerns about safety culture and the company’s readiness for advanced AI systems.

The Head of Preparedness Position and Compensation

The head of preparedness role sits within OpenAI’s Safety Systems team and pays $555,000 per year plus equity. The position involves leading evaluations, threat modeling, and mitigations to create a scalable safety pipeline. Sam altman has framed the role as central to OpenAI’s responsibility as AI capabilities continue to grow.

As OpenAI faces mounting scrutiny over AI risks, sam altman has highlighted the importance of the head of preparedness role, calling it demanding but essential. With high pay and significant responsibility, the position reflects ongoing tensions between rapid AI development and the need for strong safety systems under sam altman’s leadership.

Thought you’d like to know

What did sam altman say about the head of preparedness role?
Sam altman described the job as stressful and said the person hired would need to dive into challenges immediately. He emphasized that it is a critical role during a pivotal time for AI development. Altman framed the position as essential to managing emerging risks.

Why is OpenAI paying over $500,000 for this role according to sam altman?
Sam altman highlighted the scale and seriousness of AI risks as justification for the compensation. The role carries responsibility for evaluating and mitigating threats from advanced models. The salary reflects the importance of safety as AI capabilities expand.

What AI risks did sam altman highlight?
Sam altman mentioned mental health impacts, security vulnerabilities, misinformation, and loss of human agency. He noted that some of these risks have already begun to appear. These concerns underscore why preparedness is a priority.

How does sam altman address safety concerns at OpenAI?
Sam altman has publicly acknowledged the challenges posed by advanced AI models. He has pointed to structured safety roles and teams as part of OpenAI’s response. The preparedness position is part of these broader safety efforts.

What is the significance of the preparedness role under sam altman?
Under sam altman, the role is designed to coordinate evaluations, threat models, and mitigations. It aims to ensure safety systems scale alongside AI capabilities. The position reflects OpenAI’s stated commitment to responsible deployment.