OpenAI says the three researchers it fired mishandled sensitive information, and confirms a safety and transparency staffer has also left

The Wall Street Journal reported on 1 October that OpenAI had fired three researchers. On 2 October AFP carried OpenAI's statement on the firings: “Our investigation confirmed that these individuals mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures, violating our policies and breaking the trust essential to our work.”

According to the WSJ, as reported by AFP, the three are Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni. AFP says they had worked with an external organisation that evaluates artificial intelligence models, but its report does not say what information was involved or who received it. Other outlets name different outside groups, so none is named here. AFP says the researchers did not immediately respond to its request for comment.

Separately, Business Insider reported that David Robinson has left OpenAI. According to the report, carried by Benzinga, Robinson worked on safety and transparency, including helping to develop and publish OpenAI's system cards, and previously led the company's policy planning. An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed his departure to Business Insider on Friday. No statement from Robinson on why he left was visible from here.

The departures come in a week when the FTC confirmed it is investigating OpenAI and other labs (run on 1 October), and Apollo Research told senators about GPT-6 Astra's test awareness. The people who write and publish a lab's safety disclosures are the ones leaving, which makes the next OpenAI system card worth reading closely.

• Claimed OpenAI says its investigation confirmed the three mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures, violating its policies. OpenAI statement via AFP (The Star)
• Reported The three fired researchers are Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni. Wall Street Journal, via AFP
• Reported David Robinson, who worked on safety and transparency including OpenAI's system cards, has left; an OpenAI spokesperson confirmed it on Friday. Business Insider, via Benzinga