OpenAI fires three safety researchers, defends decision amid oversight dispute

On Oct. 9 OpenAI defended its dismissal of safety researchers Tomek Korbak, Mikita Balesni and Jasmine Wang, saying an internal investigation found they violated policies on sensitive information. The former employees dispute the account, saying their work with outside safety organizations was part of their jobs and warning the firings could deter staff from raising AI safety concerns.

• OpenAI cited violations of policies governing sensitive information
• Korbak links his firing to communications with evaluator METR
• Wang says an executive's email access was never revoked
• Researchers deny leaking details on less-monitorable AI architectures