OpenAI Launches Education Plugins for ChatGPT Work and Codex

OpenAI is conducting an internal security sprint in partnership with Cathedral Systems to test and strengthen its defenses using AI-based methods. The initiative represents a proactive approach to identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in OpenAI's systems. The effort underscores growing focus within the AI industry on hardening infrastructure against emerging threats.

OpenAI has introduced LifeVal, a benchmark designed to measure how effectively AI systems assist users with practical everyday tasks including childcare search, financial management, and government paperwork completion. The benchmark provides a standardized way to evaluate AI performance on real-world applications beyond traditional academic metrics. LifeVal targets a gap in current AI evaluation methods by focusing on tangible utility in daily life.

OpenAI announced a pilot program called Grid Protectors that will free up to 1,000 megawatts of power from its data center in Effingham County, Georgia during extreme weather or emergencies, equivalent to powering air conditioners in approximately 700,000 homes. The initiative addresses growing opposition to data center development across the US, where projects have frequently moved forward with minimal local community input. OpenAI frames the program as a way to protect nearby areas while managing the power demands of its infrastructure.

OpenAI has appointed Dan Driscoll as Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization. Driscoll will advise the company on responsible AI development for national security applications, cyber resilience, and collaboration with U.S. allies. The hire signals OpenAI's deepening engagement with government and defense sector priorities.