OpenAI Early Access for Safety Testing Program - A program inviting security researchers to test frontier AI models for safety risks.

## Purpose of OpenAI's Safety Testing Program The program aims to identify potential safety and security risks in OpenAI's frontier models (o3 and o3-mini) by engaging external security researchers. It complements internal testing and collaborates with entities like the US and UK AI Safety Institutes to ensure robust evaluation before public deployment. ## Models Available for Testing The program provides early access to two models: **o3** (temporarily unavailable for weeks) and **o3-mini** (expected by January 2025). Both are advanced in domains like software engineering, math competitions, and scientific reasoning. ## Application Process for Researchers Researchers must submit an online form by **January 10, 2025**, detailing their focus areas, prior experience, publication links (e.g., GitHub repositories), and intended use of the models. Applications are hosted on [OpenAI's website](https://openai.com/index/early-access-for-safety-testing). ## Program Features and Functionalities - **Early model access**: Test o3/o3-mini for vulnerabilities. - **Collaboration**: Share insights with the broader safety research community. - **Functions**: 1. Assess risks (e.g., bias, misinformation). 2. Develop novel evaluation methods. 3. Create controlled demos of high-risk capabilities. 4. Test edge cases beyond standard tools (e.g., real-time unsafe input generation). ## Academic Use Cases Yes. Researchers from Mondragon University and Sevilla University tested o3-mini using the **ASTRAL tool** to auto-generate unsafe inputs across security categories, validating the program's practical utility ([arXiv report](https://arxiv.org/html/2501.17749v1)). ## Criticisms and Concerns Critics argue OpenAI prioritizes product development over safety, citing past issues like toxic content generation. However, the program seeks to mitigate such concerns through partnerships with government agencies and transparent testing. ## Future Developments Potential expansions include broader researcher participation and influence on AI safety standards, especially as model capabilities advance. The program may also refine testing protocols based on feedback from early participants. ### Citation sources: - [OpenAI Early Access for Safety Testing Program](https://openai.com/index/early-access-for-safety-testing) - Official URL Updated: 2025-04-01