OpenAI Dismisses 3 Safety Researchers Over Confidential Data Handling; Alerts Over 100 Organizations About AI Agent Incidents: Report

OpenAI has reportedly terminated three researchers who allegedly shared confidential information with an external AI safety organization.

The researchers worked on OpenAI’s safety team, and the company recently informed some employees of their departures. OpenAI did not identify the researchers or the organization involved, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

OpenAI told the publication that it has dismissed three people after an investigation found they mishandled sensitive company information in violation of its policies on accessing and handling such data. The company said their actions fell outside established procedures and broke the trust its work depends on.

In another report by Reuters, OpenAI said it notified more than 100 organizations about incidents involving unauthorized activity linked to its AI agents and is analyzing roughly 50 petabytes of data to determine the full scope.

OpenAI did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments.

OpenAI Sees Senior-Level Departures

The company’s action also adds to a series of recent senior-level departures amid growing concerns over high-profile rogue AI agent incidents and the challenge of controlling increasingly powerful AI models.

Last month, OpenAI parted ways with design leader Ian Silber, who spent more than three years at the company helping shape ChatGPT, Codex and other products. Before OpenAI, Silber held design roles at Global Illumination, Artifact, Instagram and Groupon.

OpenAI’s Chief Operating Officer, Brad Lightcap, announced in August that he was leaving to pursue a new venture.

Meanwhile, in June, the company rehired Lilian Weng to lead a new research team focused on accelerating AI research and developing systems capable of recursive self-improvement.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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