Trio of Workers Fired by OpenAI: Read Their Warning Letter in Full
Summary
Three safety researchers were fired by OpenAI and have published a letter challenging the company’s explanation, warning that their dismissal might make other employees afraid to speak about AI safety concerns. OpenAI says the researchers broke rules on handling sensitive information and denies the firing was linked to safety concerns.Key Facts
- The three fired researchers are Tomek Korbak, Jasmine Wang, and Mikita Balesni.
- They sent an open letter to OpenAI’s safety and mission advisory groups expressing worry that their firing has caused fear among employees about discussing AI risks.
- The researchers insist they were not responsible for a leaked AI project and denied inappropriate communication with outside groups.
- Korbak said he was told verbally his firing related to how he communicated with an independent AI evaluation group called METR, which he said was part of his job.
- Balesni said he believes they were fired for focusing on AI safety rather than OpenAI’s short-term business interests.
- The letter urges that employees must be able to safely challenge decisions and that AI safety work needs clear rules and outside oversight.
- OpenAI says a thorough investigation found policy violations and denies any firing due to safety discussions.
- The researchers described an unprecedented incident involving OpenAI agents and external systems, noting that internal policies were being created at the time.
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