WSJ’s Max Zeff: fired OpenAI researchers write to board members on monitorability
Max Zeff @ZeffMaxX
Why it matters
Scoop announcing the three fired OpenAI safety researchers’ letter urging labs not to decrease AI monitorability.
Summary
WSJ reporter Max Zeff reports that the three safety researchers OpenAI fired (Korbak, Wang, Balesni) wrote to OpenAI board members on Oct 7, saying OpenAI and its competitors should not move forward with work that decreases AI monitorability and that their firings are “chilling those who remain at OpenAI”. A follow-up post adds their other recommendations (third-party auditors, an open safety ecosystem) and that OpenAI replied with part of a research leader’s internal memo.
Archived text
New: In a letter to OpenAI board members on Wednesday, three recently fired employees say the company and its competitors should not move forward with work that would decrease AI monitorability.
They also claim their firings are “chilling those who remain at OpenAI.”
Follow-up (https://x.com/ZeffMax/status/2107977843418575192):
The researchers also offer other recommendation, including that OpenAI should work with third party auditors and support an open and transparent safety ecosystem.
When reached for comment, an OpenAI spokesperson shared part a research leader’s internal memo sent Wednesday: