OpenAI disbands preparedness team

Our August 9 Astra release-gate analysis argued that a possible one-tier capability escalation made explicit evidence gates more important than a promised launch date. The Verge, citing the Financial Times, reports that OpenAI disbanded its preparedness team at the end of July and shifted responsibility into existing groups, with bio and cyber named among the areas; two named risk tracks now sit inside the new arrangement, rather than in one central team. The verdict holds on demanding a release gate, but moves toward demanding a named owner and continuity plan whenever a lab reorganizes safety work.