Authorities confirm suicide of former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji

Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher, died by suicide in November 2024. He had raised concerns about OpenAI's use of copyrighted material for training AI models. His death has led to conspiracy theories, but authorities found no evidence of foul play. Investigations confirmed that Balaji's death was a suicide, debunking claims that he was murdered by OpenAI or its CEO, Sam Altman. OpenAI maintains that its data practices comply with legal standards, despite ongoing debates about ethics in AI. Following Balaji's death, OpenAI launched a new marketing campaign called "Shipmas," focusing on product launches. This initiative aims to shift attention from the controversy surrounding Balaji's passing.