OpenAI Terminates Researcher Who Opposed ‘Adult Mode’ in ChatGPT: Key Insights from Her Departure Note

OpenAI has fired Ryan Beiermeister, its vice president of product policy, following a sexual discrimination accusation she denies. Her dismissal comes shortly before the controversial launch of ChatGPT’s “adult mode,” which she opposed due to child safety concerns. Beiermeister stated, “The allegation that I discriminated against anyone is absolutely false.” Despite her claims of wrongful termination, OpenAI insists her departure was not related to her concerns about the company’s safeguards against child exploitation. Internal researchers and an external advisory council also criticized the adult mode, citing potential risks for users. CEO Sam Altman defended the feature as a way to treat adult users appropriately, while noting that competitors like xAI have seen success with less restrictive content policies. Beiermeister, who joined OpenAI in mid-2024 from Meta, previously founded a peer-mentorship program for women, highlighting her commitment to fostering inclusivity in tech.

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