Yes, I also think it's alarming. And I don't think there is enough reporting/weight given to the circumstances in certain mainstream outlets. There are certain mathematical programs that have existed for decades (for example Langland's). These are endeavors that span lifetimes. A solution in any one of those areas has to acknowledge the people whose work was used. That's part of scholarship. In OAI's initial write-up, they didn't even bother to cite Cordoba and Zoroa.

It's very disturbing that we have no idea and can't know if OAI acted ethically. But also, like the author said, this is very damaging to the field because it devalues all of the labor which isn't directly visible in the solution.

Written by "A worried Belgian researcher".