OpenAI Appoints Zico Kolter, Renowned AI Safety Expert, to Board of Directors

Strengthening Focus on Artificial Intelligence Safety

To strengthen its focus on artificial intelligence safety, OpenAI has announced the appointment of Zico Kolter, a leading expert in AI safety and alignment, to its board of directors. Kolter, a professor and director of the Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University, brings crucial technical expertise to OpenAI's governance structure.

A Valuable Addition to OpenAI's Leadership

Kolter's research spans innovative deep network architectures, methods for understanding data's influence on models, and automated techniques for evaluating AI model robustness. His work predominantly focuses on AI safety, making him an invaluable addition to OpenAI's leadership. "Zico adds deep technical understanding and perspective in AI safety and robustness that will help us ensure general artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity," said Bret Taylor, chair of OpenAI's board.**

Industry Experience and Expertise

Beyond academia, Kolter has had a strong presence in the industry, having served as Chief Data Scientist at C3.ai and currently holding roles as Chief Expert at Bosch and Chief Technical Advisor at Gray Swan, a startup specializing in AI safety and security. His ability to bridge cutting-edge research with practical industry applications makes him an invaluable addition to OpenAI's leadership.

Addressing Safety Concerns

Kolter's appointment comes as OpenAI seeks to strengthen its focus on AI safety amid rapid advancements in artificial intelligence technology. OpenAI's chatbots with genAI capabilities, such as engaging in human-like conversations and creating images based on text prompts, have stirred safety concerns as AI models become increasingly powerful.

Joining the Safety and Security Committee

Kolter will join OpenAI's Safety and Security Committee, alongside CEO Sam Altman and directors Bret Taylor, Adam D'Angelo, Paul Nakasone, and Nicole Seligman. The committee is responsible for making recommendations on critical safety and security decisions for all OpenAI projects.

A Significant Step Towards Responsible AI Development

OpenAI's board of directors has undergone several changes amid rising concerns over the safety of generative artificial intelligence as more businesses rush to adopt the booming technology. Kolter's appointment is a significant step towards addressing these concerns and ensuring that OpenAI's technology is developed and deployed responsibly and safely.