Suchir Balaji’s Mother Criticizes OpenAI for Handling Whistleblower Situation
New Delhi:
Poornima Rao, the mother of whistleblower and former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji, has launched fresh criticism against the AI giant. Her son, who was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in November, had publicly raised ethical concerns about OpenAI’s practices before his death, which authorities initially ruled as a suicide. However, his family has since called for an FBI investigation, alleging murder.
Speaking to an influencer on X, Ms Rao accused OpenAI of failing to recognize her son’s contributions to their flagship product, ChatGPT. She mentioned that her son played a significant role in fine-tuning ChatGPT to make it faster and more efficient, but OpenAI did not acknowledge his work until after his passing. This lack of recognition has been a source of frustration and disappointment for the family.
## Allegations Against OpenAI
Suchir Balaji had worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before resigning in August 2023 due to his dissatisfaction with the company’s shift to a for-profit model. His mother, Ms Rao, stated that this change in direction was a major factor in her son’s decision to leave the organization.
Ms Rao and her husband, Balaji Ramamurthy, have raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding their son’s death, suggesting that it was not a suicide as initially reported. They commissioned a second autopsy that revealed signs of a struggle, including a head injury. Additionally, they claimed that Mr Balaji’s apartment had been ransacked, and there were indications of a physical altercation.
## Call for FBI Investigation
The San Francisco Police Department has reopened the case as an “active investigation” following the family’s allegations. However, no further details have been shared publicly. Ms Rao has called for the FBI to intervene and uncover the truth, asserting that her son’s death was a cold-blooded murder being covered up as a suicide.
Mr Balaji had been vocal about ethical and legal issues at OpenAI, alleging that the company’s AI models were trained on copyrighted material without authorization. He expressed concerns about the sustainability of this approach in the broader internet ecosystem.
## Denial from OpenAI
OpenAI has denied these allegations, stating that their data usage complies with “fair use” provisions under US copyright law. The organization has refuted claims of impropriety in their practices.
Elon Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI who has distanced himself from the organization, has echoed the family’s suspicions about Mr Balaji’s death, suggesting that it may not have been a suicide. He has shared the family’s story on social media, bringing further attention to the case.