Fired OpenAI safety researchers deny allegations, warn of chilling effect
10/09/2026 — 10/09, 04:16·1 sources (all)·1 reports (all)·In the 2026-10-09 briefing
Key takeaways
- Three safety researchers fired by OpenAI last week—Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak, and Mikita Balesni—published an open letter denying the compa…
Background & analysis
On October 9, 2026, TechCrunch reported that three safety researchers fired by OpenAI the previous week — Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak, and Mikita Balesni — had published an open letter. The letter was addressed to OpenAI's Safety and Security Committee and other bodies, and in it the three disputed the company's claims that they mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures.
The letter also said the dismissals had left former colleagues afraid to speak up, creating a chilling effect on the company's AI safety culture, and warned that the impact would have ripple effects across that culture. The available material stops at the publication of the open letter and the researchers' denial and warning; it contains no further response from OpenAI.
AI-generated from 1 reports · updated 1 hour ago
Latest turnThree safety researchers fired by OpenAI last week — Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak, and Mikita Balesni — have published an open letter denying the company's claim that they mishandled sensitive information. Addressed to OpenAI's Safety and Security Committee and related bodies, the letter warns that the dismissals are already making former colleagues afraid to speak up, chilling the company's AI safety culture.
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Three safety researchers fired by OpenAI last week — Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak, and Mikita Balesni — have published an open letter denying the company's claim that they mishandled sensitive information. Addressed to OpenAI's Safety and Security Committee and related bodies, the letter warns that the dismissals are already making former colleagues afraid to speak up, chilling the company's AI safety culture.
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