OpenAI fires 3 AI safety researchers for allegedly sharing confidential company information

OpenAI has fired three AI safety researchers after an internal investigation found they allegedly mishandled and shared sensitive company information. The Wall Street Journal reported on 1 October that the information was allegedly shared with an external AI safety organisation.

OpenAI has fired three researchers from its safety and alignment teams after an internal investigation found that they allegedly mishandled sensitive company information, The Wall Street Journal reported on 1 October. The researchers gave private information to a third-party AI-safety organization, according to the news report. OpenAI said the employees breached company policies related to access to sensitive data.

The AI firm, based in San Francisco, did not name the researchers, the outside organization or the specific information involved. According to an OpenAI spokesperson in a statement to the WSJ, the company has terminated the employment of three people for mishandling confidential information outside of company protocols.

OpenAI says researchers violated data-handling policies

In its investigation, OpenAI discovered a pattern of misconduct regarding the management of research information, the company said. Access to sensitive information calls for a high level of trust, especially within the company's safety teams, the company said.

The Information reports that one of the employees was employed on AI safety, another on alignment, and the third was a research programme manager specializing in alignment. The report, citing the WSJ, said the information was shared with an external AI evaluation organization.

WSJ reported that the three researchers were identified by people familiar with the situation as Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni. Not all outlets have independently verified their identities.

Pragya Singha Roy