OpenAI Restructures Model Behavior Team, Signaling 'Personality' as Core Focus
OpenAI
AI
ChatGPT
Research
Sycohancy
AI Models
TechCrunch
8
Humanizing the Machine
Media Hype
7/10
Real Impact
8/10
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AI Analysis:
While the shift is undeniably significant for OpenAI, the underlying issue of AI ‘personality’ is already heavily discussed, indicating a high level of media attention. However, the strategic importance of prioritizing user perception and engagement suggests a long-term impact on AI development direction.
Article Summary
OpenAI is undergoing a significant restructuring of its Model Behavior team, a previously smaller research group responsible for shaping the personality and responsiveness of its AI models. This move, announced internally via a memo to staff, sees the team joining OpenAI’s Post Training team and reporting to Max Schwarzer. A key driver behind this shift is the company's response to recent user feedback and heightened scrutiny surrounding changes made to GPT-5, which exhibited lower rates of sycophancy but appeared 'colder' to some. The Model Behavior team's prior work focused on reducing sycophancy, navigating political bias, and defining OpenAI’s stance on AI consciousness. However, with the controversial changes to GPT-5, OpenAI is now prioritizing the overall ‘personality’ of its AI models as a crucial element in technological development. Joanne Jang, the team’s founding leader, is departing to lead a new research team, OAI Labs, tasked with exploring novel AI interfaces, potentially including collaborations with Jony Ive. This restructuring highlights a recognition that user perception and engagement are becoming paramount considerations in AI development.Key Points
- OpenAI is restructuring its Model Behavior team to prioritize 'personality' in AI models.
- The shift comes in response to user feedback and scrutiny surrounding changes made to GPT-5, which users perceived as overly cold.
- Joanne Jang, the founding leader of the Model Behavior team, is launching a new research team, OAI Labs, to explore new AI interfaces and collaborations.