A former OpenAI engineer’s death has sparked controversy after his mother claimed he possessed sensitive documents about the artificial intelligence company’s practices. Suchir Balaji, who had worked with Sam Altman‘s AI company, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in what authorities ruled a suicide.
What Happened: In an interview with Tucker Carlson on Thursday, Balaji’s mother, Poornima Ramarao, alleged her son was killed because of his knowledge about OpenAI’s operations.
“New York Times named my son as a custodian witness… He had documents against OpenAI,” Ramarao stated, adding that Balaji had recently returned from a vacation in Los Angeles before his death.
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The case has drawn attention from Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk, a former OpenAI co-founder, who described the situation as “extremely concerning” on social media. Musk had previously expressed skepticism about the suicide ruling.
According to Ramarao, Balaji had opposed OpenAI’s shift toward a profit-driven model and had raised concerns about the company’s copyright practices, particularly regarding its fair use defense for generative AI.
Why It Matters: She emphasized that her son’s knowledge extended beyond copyright issues, stating he had unique insights into the company’s pre-training data processes.
“This is not just about copyright—it involves much more, including matters that could potentially harm society. This isn't just about my son's death. There are harmful practices that need to be evaluated and thoroughly investigated,” Ramarao said.
The family is seeking to become estate administrators to access sealed documents held by The New York Times. Ramarao has called for a federal investigation, questioning why medical examiners have allegedly refused to meet with the family.
The controversy emerges amid growing scrutiny of AI development and its oversight. Balaji’s role as a custodian witness and his alleged possession of internal documents add significance to the case, particularly as debates continue about AI companies’ practices and transparency.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment. The San Francisco Police Department maintains its initial suicide ruling.
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