Artificial intelligence (AI), where breakthroughs and innovations abound, a group of current and former OpenAI employees is raising a critical concern: whistleblower protection. Their open letter, published recently, urges tech companies to establish stronger safeguards for employees who flag safety risks related to AI technology.

ChatGPT, OpenAI’s popular language model, has become a productivity tool for millions of users. However, as its capabilities expand, so do the risks. The letter emphasizes the urgency of addressing these risks transparently. Former OpenAI employee Daniel Kokotajlo, who left the company earlier this year, expressed his disillusionment with the organization’s approach: “They and others have bought into the ‘move fast and break things’ approach, and that is the opposite of what is needed for technology this powerful and this poorly understood.”

The letter calls for companies to protect whistleblowers who raise concerns about AI safety. These employees play a crucial role in ensuring responsible development. By allowing them to express concerns internally and publicly without fear of retaliation, companies can foster a culture of accountability. The signatories include former OpenAI workers, as well as AI luminaries Yoshua Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton, both recipients of computer science’s highest award.

The letter also addresses the issue of “non-disparagement” agreements. These contractual clauses often prevent departing employees from criticizing their former employers. Recently, social media outrage prompted OpenAI to release all former employees from such agreements. The call for transparency extends beyond legalities—it’s about creating an environment where safety concerns take precedence over corporate interests.