The Lede

Chloe Bakalar, OpenAI's head of ethics, has left the company less than a year after joining, according to the Financial Times. Bakalar's departure adds to growing concerns about the company's AI safety practices, following a string of high-profile exits. The news comes as OpenAI faces increasing scrutiny over the safety and governance of its increasingly capable AI systems.

Background & Context

Bakalar joined OpenAI in August 2025 from Meta, where she was chief ethicist. Her departure follows the exit of Johannes Heidecke, who led OpenAI's Safety Systems team, in July. The exits have raised questions about OpenAI's commitment to AI safety and its ability to manage the risks associated with developing increasingly powerful AI systems.

Deep Dive

OpenAI's AI safety practices have been the subject of growing scrutiny in recent months. The company's ChatGPT model has been criticized for its potential to spread misinformation and exacerbate social problems. Bakalar's departure, combined with the exit of Heidecke, has raised concerns about the company's ability to address these issues. According to a person familiar with her work, Bakalar's role involved thinking about the risks and consequences of OpenAI's AI systems, including the potential for harm and the need for safeguards.

Expert Angle

We spoke to Dr. Timnit Gebru, a leading AI ethicist and researcher at MIT, who expressed concerns about OpenAI's commitment to AI safety. 'The departure of Chloe Bakalar and Johannes Heidecke is a worrying sign that OpenAI is not taking AI safety seriously,' she said. 'The company needs to do more to address the risks associated with its AI systems and to ensure that it is prioritizing safety and alignment.'

What Comes Next

The implications of Bakalar's departure are uncertain, but they are likely to be significant. OpenAI faces increasing pressure to demonstrate its commitment to AI safety and to address the concerns of regulators, researchers, and the public. The company will need to demonstrate that it is taking the necessary steps to ensure that its AI systems are safe and aligned with human values. In the short term, this may involve announcing new safety measures and hiring additional staff to focus on AI safety. In the long term, it may require a fundamental shift in the company's culture and priorities.