OpenAI board member says company not on track to mitigate catastrophic AI risk

U.S. government technology adviser Paul Christiano has joined the board of OpenAI’s non‑profit foundation and, in his first public remarks, warned that the company is not on track to lower the risk of a “catastrophic” loss of control over advanced artificial intelligence systems. Christiano, who advises federal agencies on emerging technologies, said that rapid acceleration in AI capabilities presents a “meaningful risk” of irreversible loss of control in the near term, echoing growing public and political concerns about the potential for super‑advanced AI to pose existential threats.

The adviser’s comments come as policymakers and industry leaders intensify scrutiny of AI development practices. Christiano’s assessment suggests that OpenAI’s current safety measures may be insufficient to meet the level of risk mitigation deemed acceptable by experts. The warning highlights the broader debate over how to balance rapid AI innovation with robust oversight mechanisms to prevent unintended and potentially irreversible consequences.