OpenAI Researcher Resigns: 'They're Repeating Facebook's Mistakes'
OpenAI researcher Zoë Hitzig has resigned after two years, criticizing the company's shift toward an advertising-focused model. Hitzig warned that using ChatGPT interactions containing users' private data for ad targeting poses significant risks, suggesting OpenAI is repeating Facebook's past ethical failures.
Critical Resignation at OpenAI: Researcher Criticizes Company's Roadmap
A significant resignation has occurred at AI giant OpenAI. Zoë Hitzig, who worked as a researcher at the company for two years, has left her position while criticizing the company's commercial and advertising-oriented direction. In her statement on social media, Hitzig suggested that OpenAI risks repeating Facebook's past mistakes regarding user privacy and ethical principles. This situation has once again brought to light the tension between profitability and ethical responsibilities in the artificial intelligence industry.
"Private Secrets Being Used for Advertising" Warning
While explaining her reasons for resigning, Zoë Hitzig particularly drew attention to ChatGPT platform's user data archive. She emphasized that using these chat histories—filled with users' most private problems, professional secrets, and personal thoughts—to feed advertising targeting algorithms is extremely dangerous. According to Hitzig, this approach could fundamentally shake users' trust in the platform and lead to irreversible erosion in digital privacy standards.
Facebook Comparison and Industry Criticism
Hitzig's striking statement "They're Repeating Facebook's Mistakes" found broad resonance in the technology world. This comparison references well-known criticisms such as the commercialization of user data, platforms establishing addiction-creating mechanisms, and priorities overriding ethical values in favor of rapid growth. The researcher argues that OpenAI is moving away from its initial mission of "benefiting humanity" and evolving toward traditional technology companies' short-term profit-oriented model.
OpenAI's Commercial Transformation and AI Ethics
Following ChatGPT's global popularity, OpenAI has made significant changes to its business model. Alongside the free access model, premium subscription plans and recently discussed advertising integration ideas indicate a strategic shift toward monetization. This transformation has sparked intense debate about whether artificial intelligence development should prioritize commercial success or maintain ethical boundaries. Industry experts note that as AI models become more integrated into daily life, data privacy and ethical use concerns are becoming increasingly critical.
The resignation highlights growing tensions within leading AI companies between research integrity and commercial pressures. As AI systems handle increasingly sensitive information, the industry faces mounting scrutiny regarding data practices and transparency. This development serves as another reminder that technological advancement must be balanced with responsible governance and user protection measures.
