Open AI on whistleblower Suchir Balaji's death, his mother's 'murder' claims and the company's response
American AI research organisation Open AI expressed continued sorrow over the death of its former researcher and whistleblower, Suchir Balaji. The 26-year-old Indian-origin American had raised allegations against the company for violating copyright laws during the development of its AI-based model, ChatGPT.
Sad Demise and Allegations
Balaji was found deceased in his San Francisco residence on his birthday in November. He had been associated with OpenAI for nearly four years but parted ways in August 2023 due to concerns over the company's shift towards profit-centric operations.
In a social media post, Open AI acknowledged Balaji as a valued team member and expressed ongoing grief over his loss. The organisation extended its support to the San Francisco Police Department for any required assistance in the investigation.
The company refrained from further comments out of respect for Balaji and his family. However, Balaji's mother, Poornima Ramarao, contested the suicide ruling and raised suspicions regarding the circumstances leading up to her son's demise.
Mother's Allegations and Response
Ramarao alleged foul play in her son's death and highlighted perceived deficiencies in the investigative process, questioning the official determination of suicide. She claimed that Balaji possessed incriminating evidence against the company, which reportedly went missing following his passing.
Speaking to former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, Ramarao expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and asserted that individuals were being coerced into maintaining the suicide narrative.
