OpenAI has appointed retired Army General Paul M. Nakasone to its board of directors, where he will oversee cybersecurity matters as part of the company’s Safety and Security Committee. General Nakasone brings extensive experience from his leadership roles in U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, as well as his command positions in various elite cyber units globally.
In his new role, General Nakasone will advise OpenAI on safety and security decisions, aligning his dedication to public service with OpenAI’s mission to ensure the safe development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) for global benefit.
"OpenAI’s dedication to its mission aligns closely with my own values and experience in public service," Nakasone stated. "I look forward to contributing to OpenAI’s efforts to ensure artificial general intelligence is safe and beneficial to people around the world."
OpenAI's move comes in response to recent challenges, including identifying several influence operations misusing its models for spreading misinformation on international conflicts and elections. General Nakasone’s expertise will bolster the board’s oversight of potential cybersecurity threats.
Since a boardroom restructuring last November, OpenAI has expanded its board from three members to ten, including prominent figures like former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Bret Taylor, former co-CEO of Salesforce. Quora co-founder Adam D’Angelo remains the sole previous board member.
Microsoft, a key investor in OpenAI, holds a non-voting observer position on the board, represented by its vice president for technology and research partnerships and operations, Dee Templeton.
General Nakasone’s appointment underscores OpenAI’s commitment to strengthening its governance and security frameworks as it advances AI research and deployment globally.
