Fired OpenAI researchers say they were let go for 'prioritising safety'

Three former OpenAI researchers sacked for allegedly mishandling information claim they were instead let go because they raised safety concerns at the tech firm.

"I believe we were fired for prioritising safety over the near-term interests of OpenAI as a corporation," Mikita Balesni posted on X, external alongside an open letter to the ChatGPT-maker, written with fellow ex-employees.

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".

OpenAI repeated these claims, external on Friday morning in a note from research leaders.

"We want to be very clear that these decisions were not about raising safety concerns or speaking out," the note said.