not a good place to work - Research Scientist OpenAI Employee Review

1.0
May 21, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

lots of interesting work, especially doing things that no one else is currently doing

Cons

First it was open source. Hence, the name, now bought by microsoft. The company is all about profits. They talk about trust, ethics, safety, and risks. But, are hypocritical about everything. The company cares little about data privacy. Most of the data that users share is used to train models. Current efforts to regulate are merely to benefit the company. The company ignores any bug fixes regarding privacy and data protection. The company has a very unethical trajectory. As a research scientist you will constantly be challenged with questioning your own ethics working at such an organization.

Explore other reviews about OpenAI

5.0
Jun 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

high talent density, good research culture, good TC. compute generally isn't an issue. people are very serious and in it to win it. sama is very competent

Cons

has become googleified as time goes on, more top-down. employees are also somewhat entitled/spoiled when dealing with leadership (some may not see this as a downside though)

1.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good pay and benefits, some smart people

Cons

The leadership is extremely reactive. Instead of having a plan and sticking to it, they change the course where the competition blows. It's basically like they dont trust their own plan and trust competition instead. No culture, it's just a rat race. Work life balance as you should expect in a cult like environment is non existent. You are indefinitely on call to fix the issues other internal teams break. hire the brightest to baby sit AI and do support work.

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