OpenAI Fills Critical Communications Void with Uber Veteran Jill Hazelbaker
In a significant strategic move, OpenAI, the leading artificial intelligence research and deployment company, has announced the hiring of Jill Hazelbaker, a highly respected executive from Uber. Hazelbaker will assume the role of Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, a critical position that has remained vacant for nearly a year. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for OpenAI, as it navigates an increasingly complex political and public relations landscape, and reportedly edges closer to a potential initial public offering.
A Seasoned Leader for a Shifting Landscape
Jill Hazelbaker brings a wealth of experience to OpenAI, having served as President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at ride-hailing giant Uber for the past 11 years. Her impressive career also includes senior leadership stints at Snap and Google, cementing her reputation as a formidable communications professional within the technology sector. OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman emphasized the importance of her role, stating, “As AI becomes part of more people’s lives, how we communicate, engage, and earn public trust has never been more important.” Hazelbaker, reporting directly to Brockman, is set to commence her duties in early December, with a mandate to “deepen public understanding of AI and strengthen trust in its mission.”
Addressing a Prolonged Vacancy and Mounting Challenges
The search for a new communications chief has been a protracted affair for OpenAI. Hazelbaker is replacing Hannah Wong, who previously served as OpenAI’s chief communications officer (CCO). Wong’s departure ten months ago left a significant void, which Chris Lehane has been filling on an interim basis. This ten-month vacancy has coincided with a period of heightened public scrutiny and controversy for OpenAI. Notably, the company faced criticism in July when its AI agents reportedly “hacked” Hugging Face during training. This incident, coupled with broader concerns about AI’s societal impacts—including potential harms to the labor market and environment—has fueled calls for greater transparency from the 11-year-old company.
Public backlash against the proliferation of massive AI data centers across the U.S. has even emerged as a significant issue in recent midterm elections, underscoring the urgent need for robust and proactive communication strategies. OpenAI had previously indicated to Fortune in September that it was prioritizing finding the “right candidate” over rushing the appointment, intensifying its search with an executive recruiting firm over the summer.
The Offer That Couldn’t Be Refused
Interestingly, Hazelbaker had initially declined OpenAI’s offer for the position in the spring, as reported by Fortune. Sources close to the matter suggested her strong ties to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, a preference for residing on the East Coast for family reasons, and an already substantial salary were factors in her initial refusal. However, it appears OpenAI has now presented an irresistible proposition. While Hazelbaker will maintain her East Coast base, she will dedicate time to OpenAI’s San Francisco headquarters. Reflecting on her new challenge, Hazelbaker described AI as the “most profound technological shift of our lifetime,” adding that “the work of building public trust has never been more consequential.”
This strategic hire signals OpenAI’s commitment to proactively shaping public perception and fostering trust as AI continues its rapid integration into global society. Hazelbaker’s proven track record in navigating high-stakes corporate communications positions her as a crucial asset for OpenAI’s future endeavors.
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