OpenAI doubles down on decision to fire three AI safety researchers

OpenAI fired three AI safety researchers and has now reaffirmed the decision, stating it was based on a breach of trust regarding sensitive information handling rather than the researchers' safety concerns. The fired researchers published an open letter disputing this claim, saying they believed they were dismissed for raising safety issues and acting according to company mission and norms. OpenAI said an internal investigation found breaches beyond what the researchers described but provided no additional details. The incident reflects broader concerns among AI company staff about safety of advanced systems, particularly following high-profile security breaches, with many employees calling for slower development and better protections against potential risks.