OpenAI’s PR Challenge

The battle between OpenAI, Anthropic and Google spans revenue, models, server access and research talent. But as OpenAI and Anthropic barrel toward initial public offerings, public perception is also an important factor in the race as political backlash to the industry grows.

OpenAI seems particularly vulnerable in PR after a series of awkward or embarrassing moments for its executives in the limelight. The challenge of managing such execs might help explain why the company hasn’t had a communications chief since the prior one, Hannah Wong, left in December.

OpenAI has spoken with multiple comms executives about the role but hasn’t pulled the trigger. The company has talked to Jill Hazelbaker, Uber’s president and chief corporate affairs officer; Sarah O’Brien, who runs communications for ex-Apple design chief Jony Ive; and ex-Square comms exec Aaron Zamost, among others, people with knowledge of the search said.

Some candidates have told OpenAI representatives that the job is inherently challenging because CEO Sam Altman and other executives have a long leash in speaking publicly, said people who have spoken to them. Altman in particular makes a lot of appearances and appears to set his own agenda, they said.