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Ex-OpenAI researchers say they were fired for prioritizing safety
OpenAI says its investigation found the former researchers mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures, while the researchers deny that characterization.
Three former OpenAI researchers who were sacked say they were dismissed for raising safety concerns rather than for mishandling any information, according to the BBC.
The BBC reports that on 2 October, an OpenAI spokesperson told the outlet the company’s investigation confirmed the individuals mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures.
OpenAI reiterated that position in a note from research leaders, saying the dismissals were not tied to raising safety concerns or speaking out, even as the researchers posted that they believed safety priorities were behind their termination.
The BBC also reported that the researchers, including Mikita Balesni, Tomek Korbak, and Jasmine Wang, wrote an open letter to OpenAI leadership as debate continues over AI safety and the risks advanced systems could pose.