Dismissed researchers at OpenAI warn of fear among employees in an open letter
In an open letter, three dismissed researchers at OpenAI claim that the abrupt dismissals are causing fear among colleagues. They call for clear rules for working with external auditors. The company cites violations of rules for protecting sensitive information and denies retaliation for raising safety concerns.
In an open letter addressed to safety and advisory bodies at OpenAI, three dismissed researchers warn that their abrupt dismissals are causing fear and uncertainty among remaining employees about what conduct is permitted. They call for clear rules for working with external safety organizations, access to the company for auditors, and continued access to the reasoning processes of advanced models.
The Wall Street Journal identified the dismissed researchers as Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni. According to Korbak, the company told him verbally that the reason was his communication with METR, which was part of his job responsibilities. Korbak believes the real reason was the safety concerns he raised internally. The researchers also deny being the source of a leak to The Information.
OpenAI says an internal investigation found violations of clear rules for handling sensitive information and a serious breach of trust. Its response does not specify the misconduct, and the company denies dismissing employees for raising safety concerns. According to the company, contracts with external safety auditors are being prepared. The reason for the dismissals therefore remains disputed between the company and the researchers.
Why it matters
The dispute raises the question of how employees can work with external safety auditors while protecting confidential information. According to the researchers, uncertainty about these rules may discourage colleagues from reporting problems; however, the sources do not establish an impact on model safety.
What was added since the original report
Verified updates
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In an open letter, the dismissed researchers warn of fear among remaining employees.; Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni were involved in investigating an incident involving the Hugging Face platform.; According to Korbak, OpenAI told him verbally that the reason for his dismissal was communication with METR.; Korbak claims that for months he had been raising concerns internally about the declining ability to monitor the reasoning of AI agents.; OpenAI rejects claims that it is losing the ability to oversee AI agents.
- In an open letter, the dismissed researchers warn of fear among remaining employees.
- Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni were involved in investigating an incident involving the Hugging Face platform.
- According to Korbak, OpenAI told him verbally that the reason for his dismissal was communication with METR.
- Korbak claims that for months he had been raising concerns internally about the declining ability to monitor the reasoning of AI agents.
- OpenAI rejects claims that it is losing the ability to oversee AI agents.
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Wall Street Journal identifies the dismissed researchers as Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni.; Tomek Korbak worked on the safety team.; Jasmine Wang and Mikita Balesni worked on aligning AI behavior with human intentions.; OpenAI has not confirmed the names of the dismissed researchers.; Korbak was the technical point of contact at OpenAI for METR and Redwood Research.
- Wall Street Journal identifies the dismissed researchers as Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni.
- Tomek Korbak worked on the safety team.
- Jasmine Wang and Mikita Balesni worked on aligning AI behavior with human intentions.
- OpenAI has not confirmed the names of the dismissed researchers.
- Korbak was the technical point of contact at OpenAI for METR and Redwood Research.
Relevant practical impact
What this means
For a business
For OpenAI, the dismissals have also become a dispute over the governance of safety research: the researchers are seeking clarification of the rules for external audits, while the company attributes the dismissals to violations of rules for handling sensitive information and is preparing contracts with auditors.
Risks and complianceCheck the original
Event sources
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