In October, 26-year-old Indian-origin technology scholar and former OpenAI staff, Suchir Balaji, made headlines when he criticised OpenAI in an interview with The New York Times, voicing concerns over possible trademark violations by leading AI businesses.
Balaji, who played a vital part in organising information for OpenAI’s designs, resigned in August, calling its methods cruel. By November, The New York Times ‘ doctors named him as a vital figure in their rights case against OpenAI.
” If you believe what I believe, you have to really left,” he told the Times.
But, on November 26, soon after his 26th day, Balaji was found deceased in his San Francisco flat. Authorities ruled his death a death, yet his household remains skeptical, pushing for a deeper analysis.
Poornima Ramarao, Balaji’s family offered answers about her son’s drama in an exclusive interview with Business Insider.
Balaji’s voyage to OpenAI
She revealed that Balaji first joined OpenAI in 2018 as an apprentice and then quickly rose to a crucial place, where she helped lead the growth of ChatGPT.
He was a beautiful student from a young age, winning a regional development contest in high school, and writing a science papers on chip style at 14 years old. At 17, he was recruited by Quora, where his talent blossomed more.
” As a child, as a small 5-year-old, he rarely made blunders. He was best,” recalled his family who was a software engineer.
” Dad would say,’ Don’t target too far. Don’t drive him to significantly,'” she said.
Balaji’s career took off when he joined OpenAI full-time after graduating from UC Berkeley, where he had already earned$ 100,000 in a TSA-sponsored challenge to improve passenger-screening algorithms.
But as OpenAI shifted from its volunteer, open-source roots to a more profit-driven design, Balaji grew exceedingly disappointed. His family revealed that he was concerned about the potential harm to society and the printing industry from AI.
” He felt AI is a damage to society,” Ramarao said.
Balaji officially voiced his worries about AI’s social implications, particularly regarding copyright, he criticised OpenAI’s use of publicly available computer data for gain, questioning its effect on designers ‘ lives.
By the end of 2023, Balaji had lost interest in his work at OpenAI and had started publicly criticizing CEO Sam Altman, according to household transactions. After resigning, he planned to start a machine-learning volunteer in the health industry.
Suchir’s friendship with household
She described how she and her brother, who was 14 years old, shared a close relationship with him and recalls taking him to his Quora company in Mountain View.
She told BI that she immediately worried about how Balaji may manage among” but some people,” but he rapidly adapted, making friends to play poker with and enjoying Quora’s well-stocked restaurant. It taught her to trust her son.
” That’s when I realised my son is truly advanced, and I should n’t hold him back,” Ramarao said.
She regularly brought granola bars and cookies with her visits because she knew he frequently skipped breakfast and would arrange Costco deliveries to his apartment to make sure he had enough fruit.
She further revealed that Balaji frequently used to conceal his feelings and always paid for it.
She mentioned that, if Suchir were to choose her as his mother during their final meal on November 7, she asked him if, despite the difficulties and the way she had raised him, he would still choose her.
“ He didn’t think for a second,'” she said. “‘Yes, mom. ‘ And you know what? As a mother, that will keep me going as long as I’m alive. “
Family coping with Balaji’s tragic death
Balaji’s death has left his family and friends grappling with grief, unanswered questions, and conspiracy theories. The San Francisco police ruled out foul play, citing surveillance footage that showed him alone. However, a private autopsy commissioned by the family yielded “atypical” results, according to Ramarao, though details remain undisclosed.
Balaji’s parents are advocating for the case to be reopened, emphasising the vulnerabilities of whistleblowers. A Change. An event in his honor is planned for December 27th, in addition to the petition and social media campaign intended to raise awareness.
” We want to leave the question open,” Ramarao said.
” It doesn’t look like a normal situation. “
However, Ramarao emphasized that the family isn’t pointing fingers at OpenAI.
Family’s call for investigation
She revealed that Balaji left OpenAI in August after taking a vacation.
” He said,’ I’m not taking up another job. Don’t ask me. ‘”
From his parents ‘ perspective, all seemed well with the young coder. He was financially secure, with enough OpenAI stock to potentially buy a house, and had plans to start a machine-learning nonprofit focused on healthcare.
” He wanted to do something for society,” his mom said.
Balaji and friends took a vacation on November 21 and celebrated his 26th birthday. He spoke with his father before dinner, who wished him a happy birthday and suggested sending a gift, and he also informed his mother about his flight details the following day. The medical examiner’s office determined that Balaji passed away either that evening or the morning, according to Ramarao.
” He was upbeat and happy,” she said. What could possibly go wrong after a few hours when his life is lost? “
Ramarao claimed that she had not heard from her son on Saturday and Sunday and that she had considered whether he had lost his phone or taken a hike. On Monday, she went to his apartment and knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She considered filing a missing-person report, but hesitated, knowing she would need to go to the police station in person to cancel it later.
” He’ll get mad at me,” she thought.
She called the San Francisco police the following morning, who located his body shortly after 1 p.m.
Ramarao claimed that she was not informed or permitted to enter his apartment. She begged them to check if his laptop and toothbrush were missing as soon as the police arrived, hoping it would indicate whether he had left.
” They didn’t give the news to me,” Ramaro said,” I’m still sitting there thinking,’ My son is traveling. He’s gone somewhere. ‘
Around 2 pm, she was told to go home which she refused.
” I sat there firmly,” Ramarao told BI.
Around 3:20 pm, a long white van arrived with its light on.
A stretcher arrived, but I was waiting to see medical help, nurses, or someone leaving the van, he added. A simple stretcher. I ran and asked the person. He said,’ We have a dead body in that apartment. ‘”
A medical examiner and police officers requested a private meeting with Ramarao in the apartment’s office about an hour later. They informed her that Balaji had died by suicide and, based on CCTV footage, he had been alone. There was no initial evidence of foul play, the department spokesperson told BI.
However, Balaji’s parents remain unconvinced and arranged for a private autopsy, which was completed in early December.
Balaji’s parents are collaborating with an attorney to get the San Francisco police to reopen the case and conduct a “proper investigation.” “
OpenAI’s statement
A representative for OpenAI described Balaji as a valued team member whose passing had a profound impact on his coworkers.
We were shocked to learn this tragic news and have spoken with Suchir’s family to give our full support during this trying time, the spokesperson said in a statement.
The spokesperson added that Suchir’s concerns were first made public when The New York Times published them.
” We respect his, and others’, right to share views freely. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who are grieving his loss and send our hearts out to Suchir’s loved ones. “
