Image: OpenAI
OpenAI named Jill Hazelbaker its chief corporate affairs officer on Tuesday, recruiting Uber’s president and corporate affairs chief to lead global communications and corporate positioning at the artificial-intelligence company.
The appointment gives Hazelbaker responsibility for how OpenAI explains its work and engages with the public. The company said she will work with leaders across the organization to deepen understanding of AI and build trust in its mission.
A broader public-facing role
Hazelbaker will report to OpenAI President and co-founder Greg Brockman, Axios reported. Her remit will include global communications and reputation, corporate brand, social media, cultural and community partnerships, and convenings.
The position is a corporate affairs appointment, rather than a role overseeing AI research or product development. OpenAI’s announcement did not disclose compensation or a specific starting date.
Brockman said communication and public trust are becoming more important as AI enters more people’s lives. He described Hazelbaker as bringing experience with the opportunities and responsibilities of technology at global scale.
Experience at Uber, Google and Snap
At Uber, Hazelbaker oversaw global communications, marketing, public policy, safety and people teams, according to OpenAI. She spent a decade at the company during its transition from startup to a large international technology platform.
Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi told Axios that Hazelbaker had helped shape many of the company’s most important strategic moments and had been a trusted adviser. He said he would miss her and wished her well in the new job.
Before Uber, she led communications and public policy at Snap and held senior roles at Google, including global corporate communications and government relations in Europe. Her earlier political work included serving as national communications director and chief spokesperson for John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign and as press secretary to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Hazelbaker said in OpenAI’s announcement that building public trust in AI carries high stakes. The company framed the hire as an investment in its ability to engage with people and institutions shaping the technology’s future.
JBizNews Desk | San Francisco
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