{
  "id": 3956671,
  "title": "A researcher joked that working at OpenAI ages you. Now colleagues are posting their before-and-after photos.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/a-researcher-joked-that-working-at-openai-ages-you-now-colleagues-are",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-28T12:06:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-staff-post-before-after-photos-job-ages-you-2026-8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "OpenAI researcher Thibault Sottiaux sparked a viral trend after joking that the fast-paced work environment at the AI lab can make workers feel years older in just days. His post about the \"Codex culture\" went viral, prompting colleagues to share their own before-and-after photos, including changed hairstyles and under-eye patches. The meme comes as AI leaders discuss the health toll of the industry's rapid pace, with OpenAI employees sharing their experiences working long hours to outpace competitors and ship cutting-edge models.",
  "summary": "A viral post about OpenAI's breakneck pace sparked a mini trend of AI lab staff sharing before-and-after photos.",
  "key_points": [
    "OpenAI researcher Thibault Sottiaux joked about aging from fast-paced work.",
    "Colleagues shared before-and-after photos reflecting the \"Codex culture\".",
    "Meme highlights health concerns of AI industry's rapid pace and long hours."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}