Editor’s note: This guest commentary originally appeared on PSL’s blog. TL;DR: OpenAI’s new o1 model marks a significant leap in AI reasoning capabilities but introduces critical risks. Its reluctance to acknowledge mistakes, gaps in common-sense reasoning, and literal prompt-following behavior – especially in tool-use contexts – demands a new approach to safe and effective deployment. By leveraging frameworks like the heuristic imperative and implementing the discussed practical strategies, builders can guide o1 to act as a more precise, conscientious thought partner that enhances safety and user engagement.