Family of OpenAI Whistleblower Questions Suicide Ruling, Seeks FBI Probe

Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher and critic, was found dead in November, but his parents dispute the official ruling and have hired a private investigator.

• Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former OpenAI researcher, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, with the medical examiner ruling it a suicide.
• Balaji's parents have expressed doubts about the suicide ruling, citing the lack of a suicide note, his positive demeanor days before, and no history of mental illness.
• The family has hired a private investigator and is calling for an FBI investigation, arguing that local authorities may lack the expertise to handle a case involving cybersecurity and whistleblower protection.
• Balaji had resigned from OpenAI in August and publicly accused the company of copyright violations, raising concerns about the ethical implications of AI development.
• OpenAI has expressed condolences and praised Balaji's contributions, while his family and supporters continue to advocate for a deeper inquiry into his death.

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