The SPAR program is a remote-first part-time program connecting mentors and mentees for three-month AI safety and governance research projects. This initiative aims to promote research in areas such as technical AI safety, AI policy and governance, AI strategy, and AI security. The program offers funding for compute costs and provides valuable experience for both mentors and mentees. The focus on AI safety and governance is increasingly relevant in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. The SPAR program plays a crucial role in fostering research and development within the AI community.
OpenAI has recently reported the disruption of over 20 cyber and influence operations in 2023, involving Iranian and Chinese state-sponsored hackers. The company uncovered the activities of three threat actors abusing ChatGPT to launch cyberattacks. One of these actors used ChatGPT to plan ICS attacks, highlighting the evolving threat landscape where AI tools are being leveraged by malicious actors. This indicates the potential for more sophisticated attacks in the future, emphasizing the need for robust security measures to counter these emerging threats. OpenAI has been proactive in detecting and mitigating these malicious activities, highlighting the importance of collaboration between technology companies and cybersecurity researchers in combating these threats. The company is actively working to enhance its security measures to prevent future exploitation of its platforms by malicious actors.