Three Dismissed OpenAI Safety Researchers Deny Misconduct, Warn of Culture Chilling Effect

Three fired OpenAI safety researchers—Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak, and Mikita Balesni—disputed allegations of mishandling sensitive information in an open letter, warning that their dismissals are creating a chilling effect across the company's AI safety operations. The researchers, terminated around October 1 after OpenAI alleged they shared confidential material with external safety organizations, denied the charges and argued their conduct aligned with established company norms.