OpenAI settles claims of discrimination against US workers for $3.2M
OpenAI has agreed to a $3.2 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations of discriminatory hiring practices favoring foreign visa holders. The company must now reform its recruitment processes and undergo monitoring.
Why it matters
This case highlights the tension between the global talent needs of AI companies and U.S. labor laws regarding domestic hiring preferences.
OpenAI settles claims of discrimination against US workers for $3.2 million OpenAI settles claims of discrimination against US workers for $3.2 million · Politico · Michael Dwyer/AP Hassan Ali Kanu Tue, August 4, 2026 at 6:14 PM EDT 2 min read OpenAI will pay $3.2 million to settle claims that it favored foreign workers on temporary visas over U.S. citizens in its hiring processes, the Justice Department announced on Tuesday.
The artificial intelligence company recruited and hired foreign workers to certain positions without advertising the opportunities on its external job website, a DOJ investigation found.
OpenAI and a subsidiary, Statsig Inc., also took other unusual steps to discourage some U.S. applicants, such as advertising late at night and requiring job seekers to submit paper applications rather than electronic, the Justice Department said.
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