SecurityAug 16, 2026, 8:12 AM

OpenAI dissolved the team built to catch catastrophic AI risks, reassigning its work to other groups

30-second summary

OpenAI has dissolved its Preparedness team, which assessed catastrophic AI risks, and reassigned its work internally. Several safety researchers have since left the company.

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OpenAI dissolved the team built to catch catastrophic AI risks, reassigning its work to other groups
Key takeaways
  • OpenAI dissolved its Preparedness team, which was responsible for assessing catastrophic AI risks.
  • Several safety researchers have left the company following the team's dissolution.
  • The team's work has been redistributed to existing internal groups, raising concerns about oversight.
  • Internal sources report growing unease about OpenAI's commitment to AI safety.
Full story

OpenAI has officially disbanded its Preparedness team, a specialized group tasked with evaluating whether the company's AI models could pose catastrophic risks. The team's responsibilities have been distributed among existing internal groups, and multiple safety researchers have departed the company in the aftermath. Internal sources describe a growing unease within the organization, with one employee noting a "burbling sense of responsibility and dread" that OpenAI may not be prioritizing safety sufficiently.

The move comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over AI safety practices across the industry. Critics argue that the dissolution of the Preparedness team signals a potential weakening of OpenAI's commitment to addressing existential risks associated with advanced AI systems. The reassignment of risk assessment duties to other groups raises questions about accountability and the continuity of safety-focused initiatives within the company.

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Why this matters
Developers

Developers may question the long-term stability and prioritization of safety-focused roles within AI organizations.

Businesses

Companies investing in AI safety may reconsider partnerships or collaborations with OpenAI.

Investors

Investors may scrutinize OpenAI's risk management strategies and their impact on long-term viability.

Everyone

The move highlights broader industry concerns about AI safety and accountability.

Glossary
Preparedness team
OpenAI's internal group focused on assessing catastrophic risks posed by AI models.
Sources · 1
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