Top AI researchers say OpenAI, Meta and more hinder independent evaluations

More than 100 top artificial intelligence researchers have signed an open letter calling on generative AI companies to allow investigators access to their systems, arguing that opaque company rules are preventing them from safety-testing tools being used by millions of consumers.

The researchers say strict protocols designed to keep bad actors from abusing AI systems are instead having a chilling effect on independent research. Such auditors fear having their accounts banned or being sued if they try to safety-test AI models without a company’s blessing.