OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence research organization, recently faced another departure from one of its key safety researchers, Lilian Weng. Weng had been serving as the Vice President of Research and Safety at OpenAI since August, and had previously led the safety systems team within the organization.
In a statement posted on X, Weng expressed her gratitude for her time at OpenAI and highlighted her decision to explore new opportunities after seven years with the company. While her departure date was set for November 15th, Weng did not disclose her next career move.
Despite the challenges of leaving OpenAI, Weng expressed confidence in the Safety Systems team and its future achievements. Her exit adds to a growing list of departures of AI safety researchers, policy experts, and executives from the organization over the past year. Some former employees have raised concerns about OpenAI’s emphasis on commercial products over AI safety.
Weng initially joined OpenAI in 2018, focusing on robotics research that led to the development of a robot hand capable of solving a Rubik’s cube. As OpenAI shifted its focus towards GPT models, Weng transitioned to contribute to the applied AI research team. She later played a crucial role in establishing a dedicated safety systems team within the organization.
While OpenAI’s safety systems unit has grown to include over 80 professionals, questions remain about the organization’s commitment to prioritizing safety in the development of powerful AI systems. Recent departures, including that of longtime policy researcher Miles Brundage, have raised concerns about the company’s approach to AI safety.
In response to Weng’s departure, OpenAI has stated that they are working on a transition plan to fill her role and ensure the continuity of safety research efforts. The organization expressed appreciation for Weng’s contributions and emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous technical safeguards in their AI systems.
The departure of Weng is part of a broader trend of key executives and researchers leaving OpenAI in recent months, including CTO Mira Murati, Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew, and Research VP Barret Zoph. Despite these exits, OpenAI remains committed to advancing AI research and ensuring the safety and reliability of its systems for users worldwide.
