Three former OpenAI researchers have expressed concerns after being abruptly fired, suggesting that this could negatively affect company culture. In a letter titled “OpenAI cannot make AI safe on its own,” the trio highlighted the importance of collaborating with third parties to address AI safety risks without fear of repercussions.
The researchers, Mikita Balesni, Tomek Korbak, and Jasmine Wang, indicated that their firings followed allegations of policy violations regarding the handling of sensitive information. Despite this, they claimed to have acted within their professional boundaries. They expressed confusion about the reasons for their terminations, suggesting a lack of clarity and trust from the company.
Their letter criticized the abrupt nature of the firings, stating that it would discourage open communication among remaining staff—a culture that OpenAI previously valued. They urged the company to adopt measures such as embedding third-party safety auditors and fostering a transparent dialogue within the safety ecosystem.
An OpenAI spokesperson acknowledged the contributions of the fired researchers but maintained that the terminations were unrelated to raising safety concerns. This incident occurs amidst a greater landscape of AI companies grappling with safety and security challenges, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with rapidly evolving technology.
