Why OpenAI is getting harder to trust
What specific roles and responsibilities did Paul Nakasone hold prior to his appointment to OpenAI's board of directors?
Paul Nakasone held several significant roles and responsibilities prior to his appointment to OpenAI's board of directors. He served as the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), and Chief of the Central Security Service. Nakasone has also commanded the Cyber National Mission Force at U.S. Cyber Command and held various command and staff positions across all levels of the Army, with assignments in the United States, the Republic of Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan2.
How does OpenAI justify the appointment of Paul Nakasone to its board in terms of enhancing AI security?
OpenAI justifies the appointment of Paul Nakasone to its board as a strategic move to enhance AI security. Nakasone, a retired U.S. Army General, is a renowned cybersecurity expert with extensive experience in the field. He has held significant positions, such as the commander of U.S. Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Agency. His expertise in cybersecurity and his experience in safeguarding the nation's digital infrastructure are expected to strengthen OpenAI's commitment to safety and security.
Nakasone's role at OpenAI will involve providing valuable insights into enhancing the security of OpenAI's systems, making critical safety and security recommendations for projects and operations, and bolstering the company's resilience against sophisticated cybersecurity threats. OpenAI's Chair, Bret Taylor, emphasized the importance of secure AI innovations and stated that General Nakasone's unparalleled experience in areas like cybersecurity would help guide OpenAI in achieving its mission of ensuring artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.
What concerns have been raised regarding the potential for increased surveillance following Paul Nakasone's appointment to OpenAI's board?
Critics have raised concerns regarding the potential for increased surveillance following Paul Nakasone's appointment to OpenAI's board due to his background as the former director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and head of the US Cyber Command. Edward Snowden, the US whistleblower who leaked classified documents about surveillance in 2013, described the hiring of Nakasone as a "calculated betrayal to the rights of every person on Earth." He also expressed concerns about the intersection of AI with mass surveillance data, stating that it could put "terrible powers in the hands of an unaccountable few."
While some view Nakasone's appointment as a positive move for AI security, there is a fear that his background in surveillance might lead to the misuse of AI technology for monitoring purposes, undermining the openness and transparency of OpenAI's work.