Zvi Mowshowitz criticizes the decision while disputing a retaliation motive
Zvi MowshowitzAI commentator, in his signed essay
Mowshowitz calls the dismissals a costly error with a chilling effect, while rejecting the view that OpenAI intended to punish safety advocacy.
“this was at best a huge unforced error”
Analysis
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
Analysis
About this source
Mowshowitz criticizes the decision while rejecting the view that OpenAI intended to punish safety advocacy.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
He accepts that an undisclosed breach of trust may have driven the decision, without concluding that the researchers did wrong or deserved dismissal.
After the quotation
He argues that the firings damaged trust and safety work even under a charitable interpretation.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
He criticizes the decision and its communication while declining to endorse the alleged retaliatory motive.
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More from this case
Read the full caseNate Soares questions firing researchers over disappearing messages
“they were just fired without warning after the fact. Seems bad.”Read statement
OpenAI 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
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- Zvi Mowshowitz criticizes the decision while disputing a retaliation motive
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The Dispute Index. "Zvi Mowshowitz criticizes the decision while disputing a retaliation motive". First published: 2026-11-06. Last updated: 2026-11-06. https://disputeindex.com/events/8259-mowshowitz-calls-the-dismissals-a-costly-error-with