OpenAI’s AGI Safety Chief Exits as Company Faces Leadership Exodus Amid $157B Valuation
Miles Brundage, OpenAI’s senior advisor for AGI Readiness, announced his departure from the $157 billion-valued AI giant. The exit comes as OpenAI navigates a complex transition toward commercialization while managing mounting safety concerns.
Brundage, who joined OpenAI in 2018 and played a crucial role in shaping the company’s AI safety initiatives, revealed in a detailed Substack post that neither OpenAI nor any other frontier lab is currently prepared for artificial general intelligence (AGI). His departure coincides with the disbandment of the AGI Readiness team, marking another significant shift in OpenAI’s organizational structure.
The timing is particularly notable as OpenAI recently closed a substantial funding round at a $157 billion valuation, including $6.6 billion from various investment firms and tech companies, plus a $4 billion revolving credit line. The company projects approximately $5 billion in losses on $3.7 billion in revenue this year, highlighting the substantial costs associated with developing frontier AI technology.
Brundage’s exit adds to a growing list of high-profile departures from OpenAI’s executive and research ranks. Recent months have seen the resignations of CTO Mira Murati, research chief Bob McGrew, and research VP Barret Zoph. The company also previously disbanded its Superalignment team, which focused on controlling advanced AI systems, following the departures of co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Jan Leike.
In explaining his decision, Brundage cited the need for independence in AI policy research and advocacy, stating he plans to either start a nonprofit or join an existing organization. His departure raises questions about OpenAI’s ability to balance its commercial ambitions with its original mission of ensuring AI benefits humanity, especially as the company reportedly faces pressure to transition to a for-profit structure within two years.
OpenAI expressed support for Brundage’s decision through a spokesperson, emphasizing their expectation that his independent research will continue to influence AI policy-making in both industry and government sectors.
This leadership transition occurs against the backdrop of increased regulatory scrutiny, with both the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice reportedly preparing antitrust investigations into OpenAI’s partnerships and market position. The developments suggest a critical juncture for the AI industry as it grapples with balancing rapid technological advancement, safety concerns, and commercial pressures.
