Former employees of prominent AI organizations, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and DeepMind, are advocating for expanded whistleblower protections within the AI industry. This call to action, spearheaded by 13 ex-employees and supported by influential figures like Yoshua Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton, seeks to address growing concerns about the potential risks associated with advanced AI systems.

The initiative, dubbed the "Right to Warn AI" petition, aims to empower employees to voice concerns about AI-related risks both internally and publicly. William Saunders, a former OpenAI staff member and advocate for the movement, emphasizes the importance of sharing information about potential dangers associated with emerging technologies.

The petition outlines four key proposals for AI developers. Firstly, it advocates for the elimination of non-disparagement clauses that may silence employees from raising concerns about AI risks. Secondly, it calls for the establishment of anonymous reporting channels to facilitate open dialogue about potential risks. Additionally, the petition seeks to ensure protection for whistleblowers who disclose information about serious AI risks, safeguarding them from retaliation.

Saunders believes that these proposed principles offer a proactive approach to engaging with AI companies, fostering an environment conducive to the safe and beneficial development of AI technologies.

This initiative comes amid mounting concerns about the "deprioritization" of safety considerations in AI research, particularly concerning the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Former OpenAI employee Daniel Kokotajlo, who left the company due to concerns about its approach to AGI development, highlights the need for responsible action in the face of powerful yet poorly understood technologies.

Recent revelations, such as former OpenAI board member Helen Toner's remarks about CEO Sam Altman's alleged withholding of information, further underscore the urgency of addressing transparency and accountability within the AI industry.