OpenAI Disbands Key Safety Team: A Step Forward or Reckless Move?

OpenAI, the leading AI firm, has taken the decision to disband its AGI Readiness Team – a team charged with the responsibility of developing necessary safeguards for sophisticated artificial intelligence systems. The members of the defunct team are expected to be redeployed to other departments within the company.

Miles Brundage, outgoing Senior Advisor for OpenAI's AGI Readiness, has expressed his deep concern over the move, hinting at a lack of readiness both within the company and the world at large for AGI development. Brundage is poised to work outside the commercial technology sector, aiming to possibly establish or join a non-profit organisation and believes concerted, deliberate efforts are needed to secure AI systems.

This shutdown is not the first within the company; OpenAI earlier disbanded its Superalignment team, which focused on long-term AI safety.

Critics are suggesting two possible implications of this move: either OpenAI does not consider advanced AI as an immediate possibility anymore or, worryingly, it may be neglecting AI safety.

Despite these changes and fiscal losses, OpenAI continues to draw investors' faith, being recently valued at a staggering $157 billion.

- CyberBeat