OpenAI fires three workers over mishandling 'sensitive information'
The former employees were investigated for sharing data with an outside AI evaluation group.
OpenAI has dismissed three researchers over allegations that they mishandled information, including work connected to an outside organisation that evaluates artificial intelligence (AI) models.
“Our investigation confirmed that these individuals mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures, violating our policies and breaking the trust essential to our work,” a spokesperson told the BBC.
The ChatGPT-maker did not identify the employees who were fired, but at least two of them had been working on safety research at the company.
The dismissals come amid a recent intensification of debate over AI safety and the dangers the technology could pose to humanity.
“We have parted ways with three individuals for violating our policies on accessing and handling sensitive company information,” OpenAI’s spokesperson said.
The BBC understands the former staff members were not dismissed for voicing safety concerns, but for allegedly mishandling sensitive information.
Concerns about AI safety have drawn attention after some researchers and industry leaders called for stronger safeguards around the technology.
In September, researcher Jacob Coxon, who left Anthropic, urged that AI development be slowed so its possible risks could be properly evaluated.
Anthropic boss Dario Amodei and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman have also called for steps to address concerns about AI.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump held a meeting with leading technology executives — including heads from OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia, SpaceX, Meta and Google — to discuss AI.
Following the White House meeting, Trump posted a document he described as a “morally binding” agreement that would act as a “form of protection” against AI’s potential risks.
Some technology experts criticised the pact, noting that it allowed AI companies to regulate themselves.
Trump has repeatedly played down concerns about AI’s risks in response to calls from some industry figures for tighter oversight of the technology.