The family of Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former OpenAI researcher and whistleblower, has hired an independent investigator to probe his death, despite the medical examiner ruling it a suicide. Balaji’s body was discovered on November 26 during a police well-being check in a San Francisco apartment.
While authorities have found no signs of foul play, Balaji’s parents, Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy, have expressed doubts about the circumstances of their son’s death.
The family has commissioned an independent autopsy, hoping to uncover more details surrounding his passing. Balaji’s parents described him as a “happy, smart, and brave young man” who loved hiking and spending time with friends.
Whistleblower’s Allegations Against OpenAI
Just three months before his death, Balaji had publicly accused OpenAI of violating U.S. copyright laws during the development of ChatGPT, the company’s flagship product. His revelations were expected to play a critical role in lawsuits against OpenAI. Despite these allegations, the San Francisco-based AI research company has maintained that its work complies with fair use laws.
“We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news, and our hearts go out to Suchir’s loved ones during this difficult time,” OpenAI stated in a public response.
The company also described Balaji as “one of OpenAI’s strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products.”
Balaji joined OpenAI in 2018 as a summer intern while pursuing a degree in computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. He later returned full-time and worked on several groundbreaking projects, including WebGPT, a precursor to ChatGPT. Colleagues praised his expertise and commitment during his nearly four-year tenure at the company, which ended in August.
