OpenAI says Uber's Jill Hazelbaker will join as chief corporate affairs officer

OpenAI said Tuesday, Nov. 3, that Jill Hazelbaker, president and chief corporate affairs officer at Uber, will join the company as chief corporate affairs officer, leading global communications and corporate positioning, according to its announcement. She will report to OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman and start in early December, OpenAI told Fortune. Axios also reported that she will report to Brockman.

OpenAI said Hazelbaker will work with leaders across the company to “deepen public understanding of AI and strengthen trust in its mission.” Axios reported that her role covers global communications and reputation, corporate brand and positioning, social media, and cultural and community partnerships and convenings.

Bloomberg reported that an OpenAI spokesperson called the role new and said it goes beyond a typical chief communications officer position. Axios also described it as a new role. Fortune reported that she is replacing Hannah Wong, who was OpenAI’s chief communications officer until January, and that Chris Lehane has led the team in the interim. OpenAI’s announcement does not say whether the role is new or a replacement.

OpenAI said Hazelbaker oversaw communications, marketing, public policy, safety and people teams at Uber. Axios reported she was promoted in May to a portfolio that also included human resources, recruiting and real estate. Before Uber, she led communications and public policy at Snap and held senior roles at Google, OpenAI said.

Brockman said in the announcement that “how we communicate, engage, and earn public trust has never been more important.” Hazelbaker said, “AI represents the most profound technological shift of our lifetime.” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said, according to Axios, “I’ll miss her and wish her the best as she takes on her next adventure.”

Fortune reported that OpenAI offered her the job in the spring and she declined, as it reported in September. Fortune said she will stay on the East Coast and spend time in San Francisco, where OpenAI is based. It described the hire as coming as OpenAI moves closer to an initial public offering.

OpenAI also announced on Monday, Nov. 2, that former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will join as senior counselor for national security modernization, as AI Tech Daily reported.

OpenAI says Uber’s Jill Hazelbaker will join as chief corporate affairs officer

Sources