OpenAI Researcher Resigns Citing Burnout and Mental Health Challenges

Hieu Pham, a former OpenAI technical staff member who previously worked at xAI and Google DeepMind, has resigned after over seven months, citing severe burnout and mental health challenges. He described his experience as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity but acknowledged the intense work pressure took a significant toll on his well-being. Pham plans to return to Vietnam with his family to focus on recovery. His departure has sparked discussions about the psychological strain faced by researchers in leading AI labs, with peers like Google scientist Raj Dabre acknowledging the high pressure despite substantial compensation.