OpenAI's Firing of Safety Researchers Sparks Controversy Over AI Risk Management

10/09/2026

OpenAI has fired three safety researchers for a "breach of trust," defending the decision after the trio accused the company of prioritizing corporate interests over safety

10/09/2026

The AI firm instead claims the researchers were fired for mishandling sensitive information.

10/09/2026

Mikita Balesni, Tomek Korbak and Jasmine Wang say their dismissals could discourage employees from raising safety warnings, while OpenAI maintains they were fired for mishandling sensitive...

10/09/2026

The OpenAI researchers say collaboration with outside experts and clear internal rules are essential to AI safety and third-party accountability.

10/09/2026

"I believe we were fired for prioritizing safety over the near-term interests of OpenAI as a corporation," one of the fired staffers, Mikita Balesni, wrote on X

10/09/2026

The three fired workers say OpenAI punished them for being outspoken about safety. The company disputes the claims and says they were fired over mishandling sensitive information.(Image credit:...

10/09/2026

OpenAI on Friday defended its decision to fire three safety researchers, saying an internal investigation found that they had violated company policies on handling sensitive information. The...