{
  "id": 13111052,
  "title": "Fired OpenAI researchers say they were let go for 'prioritising safety'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/fired-openai-researchers-say-they-were-let-go-for-prioritising-safety-13111052",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-09T09:30:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvlydn8d3lkjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Three former OpenAI researchers who were fired for mishandling sensitive information have claimed they were actually let go because they raised safety concerns. Mikita Balesni, Tomek Korbak and Jasmine Wang wrote an open letter to OpenAI, expressing their belief that they were dismissed due to their focus on safety over the company's immediate interests. OpenAI maintains that the firings were not related to safety concerns or speaking out against the company. In their official statement, OpenAI emphasized that the decisions were made due to a significant breach of trust, beyond what is described in the open letter. The dismissals have sparked a debate about AI safety and the potential risks advanced AI systems may pose to society. The three former employees, who were previously safety or alignment employees, stated that their firings have created fear among OpenAI staff, preventing them from speaking up on important matters.",
  "summary": "The AI firm instead claims the researchers were fired for mishandling sensitive information.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Fired OpenAI researchers say they were let go for 'prioritising safety'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/fired-openai-researchers-say-they-were-let-go-for-prioritising-safety",
        "published": "2026-10-09T09:30:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}