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OpenAI fires three safety researchers over sensitive-data breaches

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 2:44 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

OpenAI Fires Researchers

OpenAI fired safety researchers Tomek Korbak, Jasmine Wang, and Mikita Balesni for breaching trust policies.
OpenAI said an X investigation found the trio violated clear policies on handling sensitive information.
The researchers warned the dismissals could chill internal discussion and independent monitoring of advanced AI models.
OpenAI disputed the safety claim, stating the firings were not about speaking out and emphasizing need for high trust.

Summary

OpenAI Adds Auditors

An AP-NORC poll finds almost two-thirds of Americans think AI is developing too quickly.
OpenAI pledged to embed third-party safety auditors into its model-monitoring processes.
External assessors will independently evaluate risks of frontier AI models, per OpenAI.
Lawmakers have begun questioning OpenAI’s oversight practices after recent firings.
Resignations at other AI labs over safety concerns indicate industry-wide tension.

History

Historical Context

Google’s December 2020 firing of Timnit Gebru, co-lead of its Ethical AI team, after she refused to withdraw a paper on large language models sparked an open-letter protest signed by over 1,000 staff and led to an NLRB complaint on 2 December 2020. Similar dismissals at OpenAI have revived those concerns, prompting calls for independent AI safety audits.

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OpenAI Fires Researchers

OpenAI fired safety researchers Tomek Korbak, Jasmine Wang, and Mikita Balesni for breaching trust policies.
OpenAI said an X investigation found the trio violated clear policies on handling sensitive information.
The researchers warned the dismissals could chill internal discussion and independent monitoring of advanced AI models.
OpenAI disputed the safety claim, stating the firings were not about speaking out and emphasizing need for high trust.

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