Sam Altman says OpenAI's latest job opening pays over half a million dollars a year and is 'stressful' (www.businessinsider.com)

OpenAI has announced a high-profile job opening for a "head of preparedness," offering a salary of $555,000 per year plus equity, aimed at addressing the potential downsides of AI technology. CEO Sam Altman has characterized the role as "stressful," highlighting the urgent need to mitigate risks associated with rapid AI advancements, which include job loss, misinformation, and mental health challenges. The position is viewed as critical, especially as AI models become more proficient, presenting new challenges such as security vulnerabilities and adverse mental health impacts. This hiring move underscores the increasingly recognized responsibility of AI companies to prioritize safety alongside innovation. With past employees raising concerns over the erosion of safety protocols at OpenAI in favor of profit, this role is part of an effort to strengthen the company’s commitment to ethical AI deployment. The new head will oversee the development of safety protocols and threat models, ensuring that as AI capabilities expand, they are accompanied by robust safeguards to protect users and society.