OpenAI Fires Three Safety Researchers; Both Sides Dispute the Reasons
Understand the story
On October 9, 2026, TechCrunch reported that three security researchers fired by OpenAI—Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak, and Mikita Balesni—published an open letter denying the company's allegations that they mishandled sensitive information, and warning that the firings will create a chilling effect within the company. The same day, Latent Space's AINews newsletter also covered the story, quoting the three as saying they were fired for "putting safety above the company's short-term interests." Later that day, The Verge reported that OpenAI responded to the open letter in a post on X, insisting the firing decision was correct, saying the three were dismissed for violating clear policies on handling sensitive information, and stating that the investigation found violations not mentioned in the open letter, though without providing details. The three believe they were fired for raising safety concerns and that their conduct at the time complied with company norms. The same day, The Decoder added that the three researchers were connected to the Hugging Face incident investigation, and said in the open letter that the abrupt and public manner of the firings left current employees frightened. The two sides disagree on the reasons for the firings, and the situation is still developing.
AI overview of reporting · Updated 9 days ago
Developments
4 developments
- 10/9 19:45 · 1 reportsOpenAI's Firing of Three Safety Researchers Sparks ControversyThe Decoder：OpenAI's safety crisis keeps getting worse and the company keeps making it worse
- 10/9 17:48 · 1 reportsOpenAI Fires Three Safety Researchers and Stands by DecisionThe Verge · AI：OpenAI doubles down on decision to fire three AI safety researchers
- 10/9 07:29 · 1 reportsOpenAI Releases GPT-6.1 Sol UltrafastLatent Space：[AINews] not much happened today
- 10/9 04:04 · 1 reportsFired OpenAI Safety Researcher Denies Misconduct Allegations in Open LetterTechCrunch · AI：Fired OpenAI safety researchers dispute misconduct claims, warn of chilling effect
Reporting timeline
Explore different aspects of the story through its reporting.
- The DecoderOpenAI's safety crisis keeps getting worse and the company keeps making it worse
OpenAI fired three safety researchers tied to the Hugging Face incident investigation — Tomek Korbak, Jasmine Wang and Mikita Balesni — who said in an open letter that the abrupt and public dismissals have left remaining employees fearful.
- The Verge · AIOpenAI doubles down on decision to fire three AI safety researchers
OpenAI said in a post on X that it fired safety researchers Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni for violating clear policies on handling sensitive information, adding that its investigation found violations not mentioned in the trio's letter, without providing details. The move responds to an open letter the three published Thursday, in which they said they were dismissed for raising safety concerns and that their conduct complied with company policies at the time.
- Latent Space[AINews] not much happened today
OpenAI fired three safety researchers — Tomek Korbak, Mikita Balesni and Jasmine Wang — who say they were let go for 'putting safety above the company's short-term interests.'
- TechCrunch · AIFired OpenAI safety researchers dispute misconduct claims, warn of chilling effect
The three fired OpenAI safety researchers — Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni — published an open letter denying accusations of mishandling sensitive information, saying the firings will create a chilling effect inside the company.
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