OpenAI Pays Rp51 Billion Fine for Discriminating Against US Workers

Artificial intelligence company OpenAI has agreed to pay a US$3.2 million (approximately Rp51 billion) fine to settle charges that it discriminated against American workers. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that OpenAI was found to have prioritised foreign workers holding temporary visas over qualified US citizens for certain positions.

According to the DOJ investigation, OpenAI and its subsidiary, Statsig Inc., hired foreign workers for specific roles without advertising the vacancies on their external job site. This practice violated procedures requiring a fair recruitment process for domestic labour. The investigation also revealed that the company employed unusual tactics to deter US applicants.

Under the terms of the settlement, OpenAI is required to pay the financial penalty and overhaul its recruitment policies. The company must also provide training on immigration law to relevant personnel and submit to ongoing monitoring by authorities. Although the DOJ noted the investigation concerned fewer than ten positions, it stated the significant settlement value reflects the real harm caused to US workers who were denied opportunities in the lucrative technology sector.

An OpenAI spokesperson stated the company needs to recruit talent globally to fulfil its mission of ensuring artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity, but agreed to the settlement to resolve the dispute. This agreement is the 13th settlement reached by the DOJ since it relaunched its enforcement programme against citizenship status discrimination in 2025.