OpenAI’s Raising Concerns Policy

We believe rigorous debate about AI is essential to ensuring that AI is safe and benefits the most people possible, which is why OpenAI has a Raising Concerns Policy. This policy protects employees’ rights to raise issues, including about AI safety, applicable laws, or company policies. We’ve recently revised our policy—you can read it here(opens in a new window).

Background on OpenAI’s Raising Concerns Policy

Our Raising Concerns Policy outlines various ways employees can raise issues and expressly prohibits harassment and retaliation against those who decide to do so. Our policy also makes clear that employees have the right to make reports or disclosures to government agencies, including the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the California Attorney General’s Office.

In April 2024, we introduced a new 24/7 Integrity Line, which allows OpenAI employees to anonymously raise concerns if they prefer not to use existing channels, such as through their manager, HR, Compliance or Legal. When potential legal or policy violations are reported, they are handled by our Compliance, Legal, Employee Relations, and Security teams. Certain issues may also be shared with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Like other companies in our industry, OpenAI continues to distinguish between raising concerns and revealing company trade secrets. Given our technology’s implications for U.S. national security, the latter (subject to the right to make protected disclosures) remains prohibited under confidentiality agreements for current and former employees.