OpenAI has taken a major step forward to curb the risks of AI misuse, cyberattacks, and negative societal impacts in 2026. The tech giant will recruit a Head of Preparedness whose sole responsibility includes devising a long-term strategy for AI safety, risk mitigation, and governance as technologies become more powerful and self-sufficient.
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, announced the new position in a recent post, saying the company is entering a phase where existing safety evaluations are no longer enough. As AI systems evolve, new risks, such as vulnerabilities in cybersecurity and the potential to influence human behavior, are beginning to surface. These developments, Altman noted, require a reevaluation of how risks are measured and managed.
Altman wrote, “We have a strong foundation of measuring growing capabilities, but we are entering a world where we need more nuanced understanding and measurement of how those capabilities could be abused, and how we can limit those downsides both in our products and in the world, in a way that lets us all enjoy the tremendous benefits,” He further added, “these questions are hard and there is little precedent; a lot of ideas that sound good have some real edge cases.”
In a detailed blog post, OpenAI said the Head of Preparedness will lead its internal preparedness framework. The role includes overseeing capability evaluations, building threat models, and designing safeguards that scale with more advanced systems. The person in charge will also help guide decisions on how and when new AI capabilities are released.
This position lies at the intersection of research, engineering, policy, and AI governance, ensuring safety considerations are built into product development from the onset.
OpenAI will majorly focus on high-risk areas like cybersecurity and biological misuse, as AI failures in these domains might have grave, real-world consequences. The technology’s enhanced reasoning must be coupled with proactive supervision to prevent harmful use while still enabling innovation.
Sam Altman described the role as demanding, one that involves difficult decision-making under uncertainty. OpenAI is looking for individuals with robust technical knowledge in AI safety, security, threat modeling, or similar domains. This decision indicates a fundamental change in how AI companies handle their responsibilities. It also implies that AI regulation and structured oversight are important for safe technological development.