OpenAI’s Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Matt Knight, has stepped down after more than five years at the artificial intelligence company. Knight confirmed his departure in a public post, where he shared reflections from a note he sent internally to colleagues, marking the end of his tenure at one of the world’s most influential AI organisations.
Knight joined OpenAI in 2020 as its first dedicated security hire, at a time when the company was still primarily known as a research lab.
Over the years, his role expanded alongside OpenAI’s rapid growth, as its technologies moved from experimental models to widely deployed tools used by hundreds of millions of people globally. During this period, OpenAI evolved into a central player in the AI industry, bringing increased focus on security, trust, and responsible deployment.
In his message, Knight said he was proud of how the security function matured within OpenAI, growing from a small team into a core pillar of the organisation. He noted that building strong security systems was essential as OpenAI’s products became more embedded in everyday workflows, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
His work focused on embedding security into both internal operations and product development, rather than treating it as a standalone function. One of Knight’s final major efforts at OpenAI was the launch of a security-focused initiative designed to apply artificial intelligence directly to software protection and defence. He described the project as a meaningful milestone and said completing it helped shape his decision to step away. According to Knight, the timing felt right to leave, with a strong team in place to continue the work.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman publicly acknowledged Knight’s contribution, thanking him for building a world-class security team and helping guide the company through a period of intense growth and visibility. Altman’s response highlighted the importance of security leadership as OpenAI’s tools continue to face growing scrutiny from regulators, enterprises, and the public.
Knight’s resignation comes as OpenAI navigates expanding global adoption, rising regulatory attention, and ongoing debates around AI safety and governance. While he did not disclose his next move, Knight expressed gratitude to his colleagues and said he looks forward to exploring new opportunities beyond OpenAI.
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