# OpenAI fires three safety researchers: Korbak, Balesni, Wang

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-10-08T23:29:43Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/openai-fires-three-safety-researchers-korbak-balesni-wang

## Summary

OpenAI has fired three researchers linked to a security incident involving Hugging Face. The firings occurred last week and were reportedly for mishandling confidential information. OpenAI's leadership is planning to sell tickets for an AIE NYC event tomorrow, while applications are still open for the AIE CODE conference in San Francisco.

## Key points

- OpenAI fires three researchers linked to a security incident
- Korbak, Balesni, and Wang were fired last week by OpenAI
- The firings occurred after allegations of mishandling confidential information

## Why it matters

These firings highlight the ongoing tension between AI safety concerns and corporate interests in the AI industry.

## Sources

1. [AINews not much happened today](https://latent.space/p/ainews-not-much-happened-today-60f) (Latent Space, 2026-10-08)

Part of the developing story: [OpenAI Researcher Leaks Spark Staff Purge](https://digestai.news/thread/openai-terminates-three-staffers-over-leaked-sensitive-information) (3 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "OpenAI fires three safety researchers: Korbak, Balesni, Wang", 8 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-fires-three-safety-researchers-korbak-balesni-wang

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