OpenAI’s head of security programs, Johannes Heidecke, advised workers this week that he’s leaving the firm, WIRED has realized. Heidecke’s departure follows a reorganization that sought to combine OpenAI’s security and analysis groups.
In a memo to workers seen by WIRED, chief analysis officer Mark Chen stated OpenAI’s security groups will now report to the firm’s VP of analysis and head of alignment Mia Glaese, who will take on an expanded position as VP of analysis and security. Saachi Jain, who beforehand led security groups at OpenAI, will turn out to be the firm’s interim head of security programs, reporting to Glaese.
“The calls for on security proceed to enhance—we are coaching fashions at a a lot quicker cadence, and launch cycles have come down drastically in flip,” stated Chen in the memo. “Consequently, we have now greater coordination challenges round security at present than ever before.”
Heidecke joined OpenAI in 2021 as an AI security analyst. He took over as the firm’s head of security programs in 2024, after the earlier head, Lilian Weng, left to cofound Considering Machines Lab with different OpenAI researchers.
“We’re grateful for Johannes’ contributions to OpenAI,” stated Chen in a press release to WIRED. “It’s necessary that our security work is built-in with frontier-model improvement, with an earlier and extra direct position in shaping key mannequin, product, and launch choices. We’re excited for this subsequent chapter underneath Mia Glaese’s management throughout analysis and security.”
Heidecke’s departure comes as OpenAI tries to launch more and more succesful AI fashions. Earlier this week, the firm launched GPT-5.6, its most succesful mannequin to date on agentic coding duties. Nonetheless, in contrast to earlier fashions, OpenAI says GPT-5.6 confirmed concerning forms of misaligned behavior.
Heidecke is the newest safety-focused chief to depart from OpenAI in current days. Earlier this week, OpenAI’s chief futurist, Joshua Achiam, additionally advised colleagues he would depart the firm after 9 years researching security.
It’s additionally not simply OpenAI’s security groups that are altering. Earlier this week, OpenAI’s CEO of AGI deployment Fidji Simo advised workers she would step down from her role after an prolonged medical depart. The corporate stated that Greg Brockman would proceed leading OpenAI’s product teams, which he had been assigned to do in her absence, however would additionally take on go-to-market technique as properly.
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