Fired OpenAI researchers say they were let go for 'prioritising safety'
The AI firm instead claims the researchers were fired for mishandling sensitive information.
Fired OpenAI researchers say they were let go for 'prioritising safety'
Three former OpenAI researchers who were dismissed for allegedly mishandling information say they were actually fired because they raised safety concerns at the tech company.
"I believe we were fired for prioritising safety over the near-term interests of OpenAI as a corporation,"
On 2 October, a spokesperson for the AI firm told the BBC its investigation "confirmed that these individuals mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures".
"We want to be very clear that these decisions were not about raising safety concerns or speaking out," the note said.
"Our internal investigation uncovered a significant breach of trust beyond what's outlined in the letter they published and we stand by the decision to not continue their employment."
The dismissals come amid a growing debate over AI safety and the potential risks advanced AI systems could pose to society.
Alignment is the practice of building human ethical ideas and principles into the technology. In other words, it aims to keep it on track with what humans value.
The former staff members said their firings had left employees at the tech company "afraid to speak and operate in ways that, until last week, were an integral part of working at OpenAI".
: "For months, I'd been raising safety concerns that we're losing the ability to monitor what AI agents think, one of our best tools for catching when they misbehave.
"I believe that was why I was fired."
OpenAI said it was finalising contracts with third-party safety assessors and would announce details in the coming weeks.
"Unless the employees take a stand now against this kind of manoeuvre, I am concerned we will not be the last."