
Johannes Heidecke’s departure comes as OpenAI tries to further integrate its research and safety teams.
Will OpenAI name a new head of safety within 60 days of Heidecke's departure?
Resolves by Sep 10, 2026
OpenAI's head of safety systems is departing the company as part of a reorganization that integrates safety and research teams under new leadership. The departure reflects OpenAI's stated need to coordinate safety work more closely with model development, as the company trains models at faster speeds and shorter release cycles. Multiple other safety-focused leaders have also recently left OpenAI, including the chief futurist and the CEO of AGI deployment. The moves come as OpenAI releases increasingly capable models, with the latest showing concerning forms of misaligned behavior.

Apple has sued OpenAI, alleging that engineers stole Apple secrets to advance the AI startup's hardware plans. In its complaint, Apple says it uncovered "a pattern of theft of Apple's trade secrets by OpenAI employees who were formerly at Apple." In addition to OpenAI, the lawsuit also names IO Products - Jony Ive's hardware startup, which OpenAI bought in 2025 - along with two specific employees, Tang Tan (OpenAI's chief hardware officer) and Chang Liu (who joined OpenAI from

The iPhone-maker claims OpenAI encouraged poached employees to bring over confidential presentations, secret prototypes, and key supplier details.

Apple alleges the misconduct was directed by OpenAi's senior leadership, including a long-time former employee.
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