Former OpenAI Executive Launches $7.5M Nonprofit to Force Independent Safety Audits of AI Companies

Jan 19, 2026
Fortune
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Summary

Former OpenAI policy chief Miles Brundage launches $7.5 million nonprofit AVERI to push for mandatory independent safety audits of AI companies, developing frameworks with 30+ experts to replace industry self-regulation as insurance firms and EU regulations create pressure for external oversight.

Key Points

  • Former OpenAI policy chief Miles Brundage launches the AI Verification and Evaluation Research Institute (AVERI), a nonprofit advocating for independent safety audits of frontier AI models instead of allowing companies to self-regulate
  • AVERI raises $7.5 million toward a $13 million goal and publishes a research framework with over 30 experts outlining how external AI audits could work, similar to safety standards in other industries
  • Insurance companies, investors, and potential regulations like the EU AI Act create multiple pathways that could force AI companies to adopt independent auditing practices before catastrophic incidents occur

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