OpenAI has announced the appointment of retired Army Gen. Paul Nakasone to its board of directors, citing his expertise in cybersecurity to help safeguard the company from evolving threats posed by malicious actors. Nakasone previously served as the commander of U.S. Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Agency.
The decision to bring Nakasone on board comes as OpenAI continues to rebuild its leadership team following a period of upheaval that led to changes in its board composition. Last year, the company underwent significant restructuring, which included the dismissal and subsequent reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman.
Altman was reinstated to the board in March, with OpenAI expressing full confidence in his leadership abilities following an external investigation into the company's internal challenges. While OpenAI operates as a nonprofit organization, its board plays a crucial role in overseeing its expanding business operations.
In addition to joining the board of directors, Nakasone will also serve on OpenAI's newly established safety and security committee. This committee is tasked with providing guidance to the board on critical safety and security matters related to the company's projects and activities. The formation of this committee follows the disbandment of a previous safety team, which saw several key members resign.
Nakasone's extensive experience in leading the Army branch of U.S. Cyber Command and his tenure as director of the NSA under both the Trump and Biden administrations make him a valuable addition to OpenAI's leadership team. He retired from his military roles in February, bringing a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to his new position at OpenAI.
OpenAI's collaboration with The Associated Press under a licensing and technology agreement underscores the company's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and resources to enhance its operations and services.
