Balesni denies leaking IP and calls the firing pretextual
Mikita BalesniFormer OpenAI alignment researcher
Balesni calls the firing pretextual and asks OpenAI to send any specific concerns directly. Elsewhere in his thread, he denies sharing company IP and says his work was coordinated with leaders.
Responding to
Mikita Balesni says he did not share company IP and that his outside work was coordinated with his reporting line, research leadership and the board.
“If OpenAI has specific concerns, I invite them to write to us directly. I expect they will not, because our firing was pretextual.”
Original post
Original post
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Original text
Where this statement fits
Was OpenAI justified in firing three AI safety researchers?
OpenAI says it fired Tomek Korbak, Mikita Balesni and Jasmine Wang for mishandling sensitive information. The researchers dispute that account and say their work followed authorized duties and company norms. Their letter and individual accounts raise questions about the grounds for the dismissals and their effect on outside safety scrutiny.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Balesni says he was given no written reasons, denies sharing company IP and says his work was coordinated with leadership.
Original post
About this source
Balesni identifies the three dismissals and says he believes their safety priorities prompted the firings.
Original post
About this source
Balesni requests a direct written explanation and gives his assessment that the firing was pretextual.
Original text
About this source
The three former employees dispute the grounds and handling of their dismissals. They also recommend continued outside safety scrutiny and clearer communication rules. The letter was publicly released on October 8; its text does not print a date.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Balesni says the exit call described too much communication with outside safety organizations and that no written reasons were provided.
After the quotation
In their joint letter, the researchers say fear and unclear rules could weaken safety work and outside accountability.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The conduct under scrutiny is his dismissal. His thread rejects the rationale and criticizes the firing as pretextual.
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- OpenAI
More from this case
Read the full caseOpenAI says it found "a significant breach of trust" and stands by the dismissals
OpenAI
“Last week we parted ways with Jasmine, Mikita, and Tomek after a thorough investigation found they violated clear policies on handling sensitive information. Our internal investigation uncovered a significant breach of trust beyond what’s outlined in the letter they published and we stand by the decision to not continue their employment.”Read statement
Binder says the firings undermine confidence in transparency
“firing a good fraction of their safety researchers afterwards makes me skeptical they can be trusted to be transparent about risks and incidents”Read statement
Queen defends employer confidentiality rules
“You work for OpenAI. OpenAI decides what confidential information you can share with outside parties.”Read statement
Cite this record
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- The Dispute Index
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- Balesni denies leaking IP and calls the firing pretextual
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/5218-balesni-calls-the-firing-pretextual-and-asks-openai
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Balesni denies leaking IP and calls the firing pretextual". First published: 2026-10-08. Last updated: 2026-10-08. https://disputeindex.com/events/5218-balesni-calls-the-firing-pretextual-and-asks-openai