OpenAI Safety Researcher David Robinson Resigns, Criticizes AI Industry Culture
David Robinson left OpenAI this week and published an editorial in The Atlantic criticizing the AI industry's culture. He previously wrote safety reports for major model releases.
David Robinson, a safety researcher at OpenAI, resigned from his position this week and is speaking out in an editorial published in The Atlantic. In the piece, Robinson criticizes the culture of the AI industry.
Robinson previously wrote safety reports that accompanied every major model release at OpenAI, according to the editorial. His departure adds to a growing list of safety-focused employees who have left major AI labs in recent months.
In October 2025, Jacob Coxon quit Anthropic and publicly said AI "could kill us all by the end of the decade." Joe Benton also left Anthropic. Robert O'Callahan, Bilal Chughtai, and Josh Engels departed Google DeepMind.
The Verge reported on Robinson's resignation and his Atlantic editorial. The editorial does not specify a date for his departure beyond this week.
Quick answers
Who is David Robinson?
David Robinson is a former OpenAI safety researcher who wrote safety reports for every major model release at the company.
Why did David Robinson leave OpenAI?
Robinson resigned this week and published an editorial in The Atlantic criticizing the AI industry's culture.
Where was David Robinson's editorial published?
His editorial was published in The Atlantic.