Summary
- A top AI researcher at OpenAI, Kai Chen, is forced to leave the U.S. after her green card application is denied under stricter Trump-era immigration policies.
- Chen, a Canadian citizen, has been working in the U.S. for 12 years and will be relocating to Vancouver.
- Colleagues at OpenAI, including research scientist Noam Brown, have expressed dismay at this situation, warning that turning away top AI talent threatens U.S. leadership in the field.
- Despite advocating for high-skill immigration, OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman has not made a public statement about the matter.
The Art of Technology Coverage
Kai's Quest for Greener Pastures
Researcher responsible for GPT-4.5 departs America due to US refusal to grant Green Card
The sudden departure of a key AI researcher from OpenAI has sent shockwaves through the tech community. Kai Chen, a talent hailing from the Great White North, is packing her bags for Vancouver following the denial of her green card application. Living and working in the U.S. for a dozen years, she'll be amidst new surroundings for an indefinite period, leaving behind friends and loved ones.
"Eh, I'll be in Vancouver for an indeterminate amount of time!" Chen announced on social media. "Don't know anyone there so am looking forward to making new pals!\U0001F64B"
An OpenAI spokesperson told us the situation might be a paperwork mix-up, with the company trying to resolve the matter. However, the refusal of Chen's green card application is part of a larger, growing issue for the American tech sector under Trump's tightened immigration policies.
#ByeFelicia USA
Emotions ran high, as Chen's colleague, research scientist Noam Brown, took to Twitter to express his concerns:
"Dang, man, I'm gutted to see my girl @kaicathyc get denied a U.S. green card today. A Canadian who's been living and giving back here for 12 years now has to call it quits\U0001F60D. Steering top talent like this away could jeopardize America's leading role in AI research!"
Silent Sam
Despite championing for high-skill immigration, OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has so far stayed mum on the subject, raising questions about the company's commitment to supporting its employees in difficult circumstances.
immigrants & AI
Trump's immigration policies have created quite a storm in the tech world. The denial of Chen's green card is one of the many cases highlighting the challenges facing AI researchers and the broader tech industry in the United States.
Recent months have seen over 1,000 international students facing visa obstacles, resulting in over a hundred lawsuits and pausing the Trump Administration's efforts to revoke Student and Exchange Visitor Program records until a clear policy is designed.
The Administration has also suspended processing green card requests for immigrants granted refugee or asylum status and introduced new H-1B visa requirements. This immigration crackdown has sent ripples through the scientific community, with a Nature poll revealing that 75% of scientists (1600+ respondents) are considering leaving for foreign opportunities.
Canada and Europe seem to be popular destinations for these overwhelmed scientists, with the AI sector particularly at risk. Statistics show that 66% of the 50 most promising U.S.-based AI startups have at least one immigrant founder, and nearly 70% of full-time AI-related graduate students in America are international.
The spirit of Sam Altman, who once tweeted about embracing talented people worldwide, appears to have been doused by the administration's hardline stance on immigration. Unless words turn into actions, we might witness more OpenAI researchers joining Kai in packing their bags.
- Kai Chen, a Canadian AI researcher from OpenAI, will be relocating to Vancouver indefinitely due to the denial of her green card application under stricter Trump-era immigration policies.
- Noam Brown, a research scientist at OpenAI, expressed his concerns on Twitter about the denial of Kai Chen's green card, stating that steering top talent away could jeopardize America's leading role in AI research.
- Despite advocating for high-skill immigration, OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has not made a public statement about Kai Chen's situation, raising questions about the company's commitment to supporting its employees.
- The denial of Chen's green card is part of a larger issue for the American tech sector, as Trump's immigration policies have created challenges for AI researchers and the broader tech industry, resulting in lawsuits, paused visa processing, and a majority of scientists considering leaving for foreign opportunities.
- Biometric data and technology are likely to play a significant role in the politics of immigration, as the U.S. government continues to implement stricter requirements and scrutiny for visas, green cards, and refugee or asylum status.
