OpenAI, the renowned artificial intelligence laboratory known for its creation of ChatGPT, has announced the launch of its “Preparedness Framework”. This framework aims to monitor and manage potential risks associated with the advancement of powerful AI models. The announcement comes amidst recent criticisms regarding the lab’s handling of management transitions, raising questions about governance and accountability.
The Preparedness Framework, as stated in an OpenAI blog post, signifies the lab’s dedication to responsible and ethical AI development. It outlines various processes and tools that OpenAI plans to implement in order to assess and safeguard against potential catastrophic risks posed by advanced AI models. These risks include cyberattacks, mass persuasion, and the development of autonomous weapons.
Tracking and Managing Risks with Scorecards
A crucial component of the Preparedness Framework is the use of AI model risk “scorecards”. These scorecards act as monitoring tools, assessing indicators of potential harm such as model capabilities, vulnerabilities, and impacts. Regular updates to the scorecards prompt reviews and interventions whenever certain risk thresholds are crossed.
OpenAI emphasizes the significance of rigorous and data-driven evaluations and forecasts when assessing AI capabilities and risks. The lab aims to move away from speculative scenarios and hypothetical discussions that dominate public discourse. OpenAI is investing in the design and execution of these assessments, as well as the development of effective mitigation strategies and safeguards.
OpenAI acknowledges that the Preparedness Framework is a living document, subject to refinement and updating based on new data, feedback, and research. The lab remains dedicated to sharing its findings and best practices with the wider AI community.
Contrasting Approaches: OpenAI vs. Anthropic
The announcement by OpenAI follows the recent release of AI safety-focused initiatives by Anthropic, a leading AI lab founded by former OpenAI researchers. Anthropic’s Responsible Scaling Policy outlines specific AI Safety Levels and corresponding protocols for the development and deployment of AI models. The frameworks developed by OpenAI and Anthropic differ significantly in structure and methodology.
Anthropic’s policy is more formal and prescriptive, directly linking safety measures to model capabilities. Development is paused if safety cannot be adequately demonstrated. On the other hand, OpenAI’s framework takes a more flexible and adaptive approach, defining general risk thresholds that trigger reviews rather than predefined levels.
Experts note that both frameworks have their own merits and drawbacks. Anthropic’s approach may have an advantage in terms of incentivizing and enforcing safety standards due to its proactive development. OpenAI’s approach may offer more room for human judgment and discretion, but it has faced criticism for the rapid deployment of models like GPT-4, the most advanced large language model capable of generating convincing and persuasive text.
Notwithstanding their differences, both OpenAI’s Preparedness Framework and Anthropic’s Responsible Scaling Policy represent significant steps forward for AI safety. As AI models become increasingly powerful and widespread, it is crucial for leading labs and stakeholders to collaborate and coordinate on safety techniques to ensure the ethical and beneficial use of AI for humanity.
