OpenAI Economic Researchers Quit Amid Shift to Advocacy-Driven Research

At least two employees on OpenAI's economic research team have left the company in recent months, citing concerns that the organization's research was becoming increasingly advocacy-driven rather than rigorously analytical. According to four people familiar with the matter, who spoke to WIRED on the condition of anonymity, OpenAI has become more guarded about publishing research that highlights the potentially negative impact of AI on the economy. Tom Cunningham, one of the departing employees, left the company entirely in September after concluding it had become difficult to publish high-quality research, WIRED has learned. In a parting message shared internally, Cunningham wrote that the team faced a growing tension between conducting rigorous analysis and functioning as a de facto advocacy arm for OpenAI, according to sources familiar with the situation. Cunningham declined WIRED's request for comment. OpenAI chief strategy officer Jason Kwon addressed these concerns in an internal memo following Cunningham's departure. In a copy of the message obtained by WIRED, Kwon argued that OpenAI must act as a responsible leader in the AI sector and should not shy away from promoting the benefits of AI research. "As we continue to push the boundaries of AI, we must also be mindful of our responsibility to ensure that our research is used for the greater good," Kwon wrote. The perceived pullback in publishing research that highlights the negative impact of AI on the economy has raised concerns among experts and critics who argue that OpenAI's research should be more balanced and transparent. "The tension between advocacy and analysis is a classic problem in any field where there's a strong ideological or commercial stake," said Dr. Kate Crawford, a leading AI researcher and critic of the industry. "It's essential that OpenAI and other AI companies prioritize rigorous research and transparency to ensure that their findings are trustworthy and unbiased." OpenAI's economic research team has been at the forefront of studying the impact of AI on the economy, including the potential job displacement and economic inequality that could result from widespread AI adoption. The team's research has been widely cited and has contributed to the growing debate about the ethics of AI development. The departure of Cunningham and at least one other employee on the economic research team has raised questions about the future of OpenAI's research agenda and its commitment to transparency and accountability. As the AI industry continues to evolve and grow, the need for rigorous and unbiased research has never been more pressing. OpenAI has not commented on the specific allegations or the departure of its employees, but the company has stated its commitment to responsible AI development and its desire to promote the benefits of AI research.