OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the company will be hiring a Head of Preparedness.
The person hired for this position will be playing a crucial role in the development of upcoming AI models. While it’s a high-pressure role, the work of this individual can truly help shape the future of AI and what it’s capable of doing.
Altman publicly announced the employment opportunity via X on December 27:
We are hiring a Head of Preparedness. This is a critical role at an important time; models are improving quickly and are now capable of many great things, but they are also starting to present some real challenges. The potential impact of models on mental health was something we…
— Sam Altman (@sama) December 27, 2025
What Does the Role Consist Of?
The role, which comes with a hefty $555,000 salary, involves several tasks.
The Head of Preparedness will primarily engage in three jobs: testing AI models for malicious risks before release, blocking model launches if dangers are spotted, and designing technical limits for models.
They will also be expected to “…lead a small, high-impact team to drive core Preparedness research, while partnering broadly across Safety Systems and OpenAI for end-to-end adoption and execution of the framework,” according to the official career page for the role.
The Dangers That AI Currently Poses
The decision to offer this new role primarily came from external pressures involving the safety, legal, and regulatory aspects of AI technology.
The current advancements of AI have led to concerns regarding the validation of harmful ideation, AI-triggered delusions, and cybersecurity risks.
I spoke to an attorney representing the parents of a teen who died by suicide, allegedly after receiving instructions on hanging himself from ChatGPT, in first wrongful death suit against OpenAI. She believes we’re seeing a shift in public opinion on AI and can expect more suits. pic.twitter.com/aknMhRh96d
— chopped unc crisis hotline (@youwouldntpost) August 27, 2025
With AI advancing faster than humans can establish robust safeguards, this underscores the importance of having a dedicated professional closely evaluate what AI technology is capable of doing or saying.
How Does the Future of AI Affect Brands?
Artificial intelligence is always evolving and changing. With AI technology serving as an important means of brand discovery and digital visibility, it’s crucial that businesses continue to properly leverage this technology, even through its many changes. Failure to stay on top of AI’s shifts can result in reduced visibility and missed insights.
Avenue Z can help your brand stay visible online as AI systems like OpenAI become more restrictive and filtered due to recent legal and safety concerns. AI optimization involves improving a brand’s presence in AI-powered searches, aligning a brand’s message with AI’s standards, and adjusting campaigns in response to real-time monitoring.Want to see how your brand is currently reflected in AI search? Get in touch with Avenue for a visibility audit.
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