Former OpenAI Employee and Whistleblower Suchir Balaji Found Dead in San Francisco Apartment
San Francisco, CA – A former OpenAI employee and whistleblower, Suchir Balaji, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment, according to the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The manner of death has been ruled a suicide.
Balaji, 26, was a former AI researcher at OpenAI, where he worked for nearly four years. He had recently raised concerns about the company’s practices, particularly regarding copyright law.
In an interview with The New York Times in October, Balaji expressed his concerns about OpenAI’s use of copyright data, stating that he believed the company’s practices were damaging to the internet.
Balaji’s death was discovered on November 26, when first responders were called to his Buchanan Street apartment to perform a wellness check. No evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation.
OpenAI has released a statement expressing their condolences to Balaji’s loved ones. “We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news today, and our hearts go out to Suchir’s loved ones during this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
Balaji’s death comes as OpenAI and Microsoft face several lawsuits from media outlets accusing the company of breaking copyright law.