OpenAI’s human rights lead: What the military could do with AI ‘keeps me up at night’

OpenAI has brought Sarah Yager into a newly defined leadership position focused on human rights and responsible deployment, including the company’s work involving military applications.

Yager became OpenAI’s first human rights and responsible deployment lead in June. Her appointment places responsibility for a sensitive area of artificial intelligence development within a dedicated role at the company.

A role shaped by military experience

Yager is concentrating on military applications of AI, drawing on 30 years of experience in the field. That background is directly relevant to the questions surrounding how artificial intelligence may be developed and deployed in military settings.

The role also comes as OpenAI has a partnership with the Department of War, or DoW. The combination of that partnership and Yager’s remit gives her work a direct connection to the company’s military-related activities.

Why the appointment matters

Yager’s appointment highlights the importance OpenAI is placing on human rights and responsible deployment as it works in an area with military implications. It also gives the company a senior lead whose stated focus includes the potential use of AI by military organizations.

The available information does not detail the partnership’s terms or identify specific military systems, projects or policies. Yager’s role, however, establishes a clear focus on military applications within OpenAI’s broader responsible deployment work.