OpenAI Parts Ways With 3 Workers Over Mishandling Information

OpenAI has parted ways with three employees for violating company policies on how private information should be handled, including for allegedly sharing it with an outside group.

“Our investigation confirmed that these individuals mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures, violating our policies and breaking the trust essential to our work,” an OpenAI spokesperson said in a statement Thursday.

The employees — two safety and alignment researchers and a one research program manager — allegedly shared sensitive company information with an external AI evaluation group, according to one person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss private matters. Some of the information that was allegedly mishandled pertained to OpenAI’s infrastructure architecture, the person said.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported on OpenAI cutting ties with three researchers.

The ChatGPT maker is grappling with concerns from staffers and the public about the potential risks of its most advanced artificial intelligence products after a spate of recent hacking incidents involving rogue AI systems.

The company has endorsed a plan to slow down development of future cutting-edge AI models and said it plans to let third-party groups vet its models for safety risks. Earlier this week, OpenAI said it would hold back a version of its Astra model while it establishes stronger safeguards for AI development.

On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported the Federal Trade Commission has been scrutinizing OpenAI and other AI companies, including Anthropic PBC, about the safety of their products amid high-profile cybersecurity incidents.