OpenAI has hired Uber President Jill Hazelbaker as its chief corporate affairs officer to run global communications and brand strategy, according to The Information. Hazelbaker, who leaves Uber on November 30, previously led communications at Snap and Google, and at Uber she handled founder Travis Kalanick’s ouster and the company’s successful fight to keep California drivers classified as contractors. OpenAI has had no permanent communications chief since Hannah Wong stepped down in January, so Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane has been filling in. OpenAI also brought on Josh King, Citadel’s former head of corporate affairs, to handle financial communications ahead of an IPO that the company has pushed to next year.
