OpenAI Revokes Contentious Exit Agreements; Former Employees to Receive Equity
OpenAI, a renowned artificial intelligence company backed by Microsoft, has decided to reverse a controversial decision regarding its former employees. Initially, the organization presented departing employees with a choice between signing an indefinite non-disparagement agreement or retaining their vested equity in the company. However, in a recent internal memo shared with current and former staff members, OpenAI announced its decision to retract this requirement.
Addressing the issue at hand, the memo clarified that regardless of whether employees signed the general release agreement containing a non-disparagement clause, OpenAI will not revoke any vested equity. Moreover, the company assured that it will no longer enforce any non-disparagement or non-solicitation provisions that departing employees may have previously agreed to.
In a statement to CNBC, an OpenAI spokesperson explained the rationale behind this policy shift, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to updating its departure procedures. The spokesperson stated that OpenAI will remove non-disparagement clauses from its standard departure documentation and release former employees from existing obligations unless both parties had agreed to them mutually.
This change comes shortly after OpenAI disbanded its long-term AI safety team and saw the departure of key executives, including co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Jan Leike. The decision to dissolve the AI safety division, which aimed to address the risks associated with artificial intelligence, sparked discussions within the tech community.
In light of recent developments, OpenAI’s decision to revise its approach to employee departures reflects a broader commitment to transparency and employee welfare. By prioritizing equity retention and departing from restrictive contractual obligations, the company is taking steps to align its practices with its core values.
Overall, OpenAI’s decision to cancel controversial exit agreements and prioritize equity distribution underscores a shift towards a more employee-centric and values-driven approach within the organization.
