Fired OpenAI safety researchers dispute misconduct claims, warn of chilling effect

Three fired OpenAI safety researchers — Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni — published an open letter denying they mishandled sensitive information and warning their dismissal chills internal culture. OpenAI says they violated policies on handling confidential data.

• Wang, Korbak and Balesni were fired last week over sharing data with a third-party AI safety group
• They deny leaking to The Information and engaging outside their job mandates
• OpenAI's internal memo denies the firings were retaliation for raising concerns
• Researchers warn of a chilling effect on OpenAI's safety culture