The mother of Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former OpenAI employee and whistleblower, has broken her silence about her son's tragic death and his struggle with the ethics of artificial intelligence.
Balaji, who accused OpenAI of copyright infringement in the development of ChatGPT, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on 26 November, in what authorities initially ruled as a suicide.
His death has sparked debate about the cost of unchecked AI development and the vulnerabilities of whistleblowers.
A Prodigy With a Vision
Balaji, described by his mother, Poornima Ramarao, as a prodigy, was a gifted programmer from a young age. By the age of two, he was forming complex sentences, and at 11, he was coding with Scratch, a programming language for children.
By 13, he had built his own computer, and by 14, he had written a scientific paper on chip design. His remarkable academic achievements led to him being recruited by OpenAI as an intern in 2018 and later joining full-time after graduating from UC Berkeley in 2021.
His passion for AI stemmed from its potential to benefit humanity. According to his mother, he was initially thrilled to work on OpenAI's open-source projects.
However, his enthusiasm waned as the company transitioned towards profit-driven models, particularly after the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022.
Ethical Concerns and Resignation
Balaji resigned from OpenAI in August 2024, citing ethical concerns about the company's practices.
According to The New York Times, he believed that AI posed more risks than benefits to society, particularly regarding the use of copyrighted material to train language models. "If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave," he told the publication.
In the months leading up to his resignation, Balaji had become increasingly critical of OpenAI's leadership.
His mother recalled that he stopped sharing details about his work and expressed fears about the broader implications of AI on society. "He felt AI is a harm to humanity," Ramarao said.
A Tragic End
Balaji's death occurred just weeks after he was named in legal proceedings against OpenAI over copyright infringement.
His mother discovered the tragic news when she visited his apartment after days without contact. San Francisco police ruled the death a suicide, citing CCTV footage showing him alone in his apartment.
However, Balaji's parents commissioned a private autopsy, which they claim revealed irregularities, prompting calls for a reopened investigation, as reported by Business Insider.
A Call for Justice
Balaji's parents are campaigning for greater awareness of whistleblower protections and the risks they face.
"We want to leave the question open," Ramarao said in an interview with Business Insider. "It doesn't look like a normal situation."
They have launched a petition and are organising events to honour his memory and advocate for systemic changes.
Legacy and Reflection
OpenAI issued a statement expressing condolences and describing Balaji as a valued team member. "We were devastated to learn of this tragic news and have been in touch with Suchir's family to offer our full support during this difficult time," a spokesperson said.
For his mother, the loss is personal and profound. In her final conversation with Balaji, she sought reassurance about her role in his life. His response, "Yes, mom," now serves as a source of strength for her. "As a mother, that will keep me going as long as I'm alive," she said.
