OpenAI Chief Futurist Joshua Achiam announced on July 7 that he will leave OpenAI later this month, ending nearly nine years of service. Achiam previously led the "Mission Alignment Team" established in 2024, which was disbanded in February, after which he transitioned to the role of Chief Futurist. His successor is former White House AI advisor Dean Ball, who started this week with the title of "Head of Strategic Futures."
Joshua Achiam: Transitioned to Chief Futurist After the Mission Alignment Team Was Disbanded in February
According to reports, Joshua Achiam joined OpenAI as an intern in 2017 and later became a research scientist focused on AI safety, viewed internally as a steadfast defender of the company's safety mission. In 2024, OpenAI established the "Mission Alignment Team" led by Achiam, tasked with ensuring the company's actions aligned with its statements.
In February 2026, the team was disbanded, and Achiam transitioned to the newly created role of Chief Futurist, positioned at the intersection of AI safety and policy teams, researching the potential harms and benefits of the rise of AI, and collaborating with Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane and others to advocate for government regulation.
Successor Dean Ball: Former White House AI Advisor, Appointed This Week as "Head of Strategic Futures"
According to reports, former White House AI advisor Dean Ball started this week, taking over Achiam's role with the title "Head of Strategic Futures"; Dean Ball will have a brief handover with Achiam. The restructuring after the disbandment of the Mission Alignment Team, and the replacement of a safety executive by a candidate with a policy background, reflects that OpenAI is still adjusting its positioning on the question of "who will safeguard the mission."
OpenAI's Series of Safety Talent Departures
According to reports, Achiam is the latest in a wave of safety talent departures from OpenAI. The list of departures over the years is as follows:
2024 - Jan Leike: Co-led the Mission Alignment Team with Achiam, publicly criticized OpenAI before leaving, saying "safety culture and processes have taken a backseat to shiny products," then joined Anthropic.
2024 - Miles Brundage: Policy research lead, left to co-found a nonprofit advocating for AI labs to comply with safety standards.
2024 - Steven Adler: Researched dangerous capabilities of AI models, left to co-found a similar nonprofit.
End of 2025 - Andrea Vallone: Researched how ChatGPT responds to users' psychological and emotional distress, left to join Jan Leike's team at Anthropic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Joshua Achiam leaving OpenAI?
According to Achiam's internal letter, he expressed a desire to "continue advancing this mission from outside the high walls of the frontier lab" and committed to continuing to work for the vision of AI safety regardless of what he does next; his departure is a personal choice, not a layoff.
Who is replacing Achiam in the relevant role at OpenAI?
According to reports, former White House AI advisor Dean Ball started this week with the title "Head of Strategic Futures," replacing Achiam's position. The two will have a brief work handover.
When was OpenAI's Mission Alignment Team disbanded?
According to reports, OpenAI established the "Mission Alignment Team" led by Achiam in 2024, tasked with ensuring the company's actions aligned with its statements; the team was disbanded in February 2026, after which Achiam transitioned to Chief Futurist.
