OpenAI Fires Three Safety Researchers in Battle Over AI Oversight and Model Transparency

OpenAI dismissed three senior safety researchers—Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak, and Mikita Balesni—in early October 2026, igniting a fierce dispute over control of AI systems and access to safety evaluations. The company cited violations of information-handling policies; the researchers countered that they were terminated for raising safety concerns and collaborating with external oversight organizations, warning the firings would chill internal safety advocacy across the industry.