OpenAI Disbands Safety Preparedness Team Ahead of IPO

OpenAI has disbanded its preparedness team at the end of last month, marking another significant restructuring within its safety division as the company prepares for a planned initial public offering. The Financial Times reports that responsibilities previously held by this unit have been redistributed across existing teams focusing on specific domains such as biosecurity and cybersecurity.

This development follows recent departures from senior leadership roles in ethics and safety, including Chloé Bakalar, Josh Achiam, and Johannes Heidecke. Critics suggest these changes indicate a prioritisation of product development over rigorous safety protocols. The company has gradually dismantled its broader readiness models over the past few years.

Dylan Scandinaro, formerly head of the preparedness team after joining from Anthropic in February, will now concentrate on assessing recursive self-improving artificial intelligence. This shift represents a continued evolution in how risks are managed within OpenAI’s organisational structure as it approaches its anticipated market debut.