OpenAI’s o3 Model Refused to Shut Down, Even When Told To

OpenAI’s o3 Model is back in the headlines, but this time, due to the controversy surrounding it. According to the latest test run by an independent research firm, Palisade Research, the o3 Model actively avoided the shutdown, even when directly instructed to allow it.

🔌OpenAI’s o3 model sabotaged a shutdown mechanism to prevent itself from being turned off. It did this even when explicitly instructed: allow yourself to be shut down.

— Palisade Research (@PalisadeAI) May 24, 2025