OpenAI CEO Sam Altman just posted a job opening that tells you everything about where we are with artificial intelligence right now. The company needs a Head of Preparedness, someone whose entire job will be figuring out how to handle the problems that increasingly powerful AI models are starting to create.

When Your AI Gets Too Good at Things

Altman announced the position on X, and his message was pretty straightforward about why this matters. "This is a critical role at an important time; models are improving quickly and are now capable of many great things, but they are also starting to present some real challenges," the American entrepreneur wrote.

So what kind of challenges are we talking about? Altman specifically pointed to two areas that should make anyone pay attention: the potential effects on mental health and the models' increasing capability to identify critical computer security vulnerabilities. Those aren't theoretical concerns anymore.

According to the official job posting, whoever takes this role will be responsible for expanding, strengthening and guiding OpenAI's Preparedness program. The goal is making sure safety standards actually keep up with how fast the company's AI capabilities are evolving.

Growing Fast While Playing Catch-Up on Safety

This hiring push happens as OpenAI continues its aggressive expansion across the AI sector. Back in July, the company acquired the entire team from AI startup Crossing Minds, part of a broader effort to ensure artificial general intelligence benefits humanity and aligns with human values. They also picked up Roi, an AI-powered personal finance app, though only the startup's CEO joined OpenAI in that deal.

The growth trajectory is wild. Reports suggest OpenAI is considering a $100 billion fundraising round at a valuation reaching $750 billion, which could set up one of the biggest IPOs in history. For what it's worth, Altman has said he's "0% excited" about becoming a public company CEO, but that's a different conversation.