OpenAI fires employee for using confidential information in prediction markets

OpenAI has fired an employee over the employee’s activity on prediction markets, including Polymarket, the company confirmed to Wired. The company alleges that the employee used confidential OpenAI information in connection with the transactions made.

OpenAI did not reveal the employee’s name. However, a company spokesperson said such actions violate company policy that prohibits employees from using inside information for personal gain, including prediction markets.

Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi allow people to bet on the outcomes of real-world events. For example, on Polymarket, there are bets on what kind of products OpenAI will announce in 2026 and when the company will go public. They can cover any event, and can make some great money. As we recently reported, an accountant won a $470,300 jackpot on Kalshi by betting against DOGE believers.

Prediction markets insist they are not gambling sites, preferring to classify themselves as financial platforms. Kalshi is a regulated exchange, and in fact, fined and banned a MrBeast editor for similar alleged insider trading earlier this week. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.