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The dispute over whether the researchers were punished for raising concerns about unmonitorable model reasoning tests how the lab handles internal dissent.
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OpenAI fired three safety researchers after accusing them of mishandling sensitive information. The researchers say they were pushed out for raising concerns about unmonitorable model reasoning, and OpenAI denies retaliation.Read original on X
I don't know the full facts, but these allegations against OpenAI -- that @tomekkorbak @j_asminewang and @balesni were fired for doing their jobs and speaking up internally about safety -- is very troubling. OpenAI should explain in much more detail what happened.Read original on X
This seems extremely sketchy behavior from OpenAI I don't want to pass judgement before hearing OpenAI's side, but I doubt these three are lying about not hearing good reasons And why would 3 associated safety researchers be fired *simultaneously* for 2-3 unrelated events?Read original on X
I can't really see a world where OpenAI's actions are justified here. It was Tomek's job to communicate with METR, who were being given significant, unprecedented access to do the HuggingFace report. The norms were not set. Even if he fucked up badly, just give him a stern warning and ban him from roles involving liasoning with third parties, he did lots of other valuable work, and there'd no longer be room for him to inappropriately leak as part of his job. IMO firing people over a good faith attempt to use their best judgement in a novel and uncertain situation is a sign of a highly unhealthy culture. Firing him will have a chilling effect on anyone else at OpenAI working with third parties, an odd choice when Sam announced they'd embed evaluators with high access. I separately…Read original on X
OpenAI's response to yesterday's letter from the three fired employees. It was posted late last night, so people may have missed it.Read original on X
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers; company denies retaliation
OpenAI fires three safety researchers, prompting calls for answers
OpenAI fires three safety researchers, prompting calls for answers
OpenAI fires three safety researchers, prompting calls for answers
OpenAI fires three safety researchers, prompting calls for answers
OpenAI fires three safety researchers, prompting calls for answers
OpenAI responds to backlash over firing three safety researchers
OpenAI faces pressure to explain firing three safety researchers
OpenAI under pressure to explain firing three safety researchers
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