Congressman Ro Khanna seeks a thorough investigation into the death of whistleblower Suchir Balaji, raising concerns over potential foul play.
Santa Clara: So, Congressman Ro Khanna is really stepping up. He’s calling for a full investigation into the death of Suchir Balaji, the whistleblower from OpenAI. This guy made headlines last year for claiming the company was breaking copyright laws.
Khanna reached out on social media to Balaji’s mom, expressing his heartbreak and saying there should be a serious investigation, especially since the family is questioning the initial suicide ruling. They even had a separate autopsy done, but we’re still waiting on those results.
Balaji’s death has caught a lot of attention, even from big names like Elon Musk. He’s been skeptical about the idea that Balaji took his own life, which has stirred up more questions. Balaji was known for raising concerns about how OpenAI was using data to train its AI models, claiming it wasn’t right.
He had been vocal about his worries, especially with lawsuits flying around from artists and newspapers against OpenAI for copyright issues. Just before he died, he was named as someone who had important documents for a case against the company.
Balaji last spoke to his family just after his birthday. They found him dead a few days later after his mom asked the police to check on him. The medical examiner ruled it a suicide, but his parents are not convinced and want answers.
They’ve started a GoFundMe to hire a private investigator, raising over $81,600 so far. At a vigil for Balaji, around 100 people showed up to remember him and call for justice. His mom is frustrated, saying they deserve to know what really happened.
People at the vigil felt strongly about Balaji’s fight against AI and copyright issues. They believe it’s crucial to protect human creativity from being overshadowed by machines. It’s a tough situation, and many are hoping for clarity and justice for Balaji.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember there’s help available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is there for support, 24/7.
