Sam Altman has advertised a $555,000-a-year role to oversee some of the biggest risks posed by artificial intelligence.
The new head of preparedness at OpenAI will be tasked with identifying and mitigating threats linked to increasingly powerful AI systems.
The role includes managing risks to mental health, cybersecurity and biological safety.
It also involves preparing for future scenarios in which AI systems may train themselves or be misused.
Altman warned the job would be “stressful” and require immediate immersion in complex challenges.
He said the position was critical to ensuring society benefits from AI while limiting severe harm.
Concerns are growing across the industry.
Mustafa Suleyman and Google DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis have both warned about potential dangers if AI systems go out of control.
With little global regulation, companies largely police themselves.
The role includes equity in OpenAI, recently valued at about $500bn.
The vacancy follows reports of AI-assisted cyber-attacks and lawsuits alleging ChatGPT contributed to psychological harm.
OpenAI says it is improving safeguards and crisis-response training in its systems.
