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Former OpenAI researcher, Suchir Balaji, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26th. Balaji, 26, had previously accused OpenAI of copyright violations regarding the data used to train its AI models, specifically GPT-4. He raised questions about fair use, particularly relating to the mass copying of data from the internet for training generative AI models, arguing this could infringe on copyright. Balaji’s concerns had surfaced in a personal essay, and he had shared his thoughts in an interview with The New York Times in October. San Francisco Police stated there was no evidence of foul play, and the medical examiner's office has ruled the cause of death to be suicide. Multiple lawsuits against OpenAI are expected to include information Balaji had uncovered during his time at the company where he worked for four years before leaving in August. Balaji’s concerns regarding AI copyright misuse has sparked conversation within the tech community about the ethics and implications of using online data to train AI systems.

References:

• @assaf - “The medical examiner’s office determined the manner of death to be suicide and police officials this week said there is “currently, no evidence of foul play.” ok fine no foul play but what do - 7d
• @Mediagazer - Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher who accused the company of copyright violations in October, was found dead by suicide on November 26 in San Francisco (Jakob Rodgers/Mercury News) - 7d
• TechCrunch - OpenAI whistleblower found dead at 26 in San Francisco apartment - 7d
• www.mercurynews.com - Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher who accused the company of copyright violations in October, was found dead by suicide on November 26 in San Francisco (Jakob Rodgers/Mercury News) - 7d
• TechCrunch - OpenAI whistleblower found dead at 26 in San Francisco apartment - 7d
• Benzinga - OpenAI Whistleblower Found Dead After Raising AI Copyright Concerns - 7d
• www.businessinsider.com - OpenAI whistleblower found dead by apparent suicide - 7d
• @cbarbermd - A former OpenAI whistleblower found dead in his SF apt. The 26-yo had raised concerns about OpenAI breaking copyright law. Multiple lawsuits against the company are expected to include info that Balaj - 7d
• Digital Music News - OpenAI Whistleblower Found Dead After Revealing How the Company Violated Copyright Law - 7d
• www.techmeme.com - Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher who accused the company of copyright violations in October, was found dead by suicide on November 26 in San Francisco (Jakob Rodgers/Mercury News) - 7d
• techcrunch.com - A former OpenAI whistleblower found dead in his SF apt. The 26-yo had raised concerns about OpenAI breaking copyright law. Multiple lawsuits against the company are expected to include info that Balaj - 7d
• Business Insider - OpenAI whistleblower found dead by apparent suicide - 7d
• Wccftech - Former OpenAI Researcher And Whistleblower Suchir Balaji Found Dead In Apartment, Police Confirm No Evidence Of Foul Play - 7d
• www.ibtimes.sg - Who is Suchir Balaji? 26-year-old OpenAI Former Employee and Whistleblower Found Dead in San Francisco, Days After His Shocking Last Social Media Post Exposing AI's Dark Secrets - 7d
• www.newsweek.com - OpenAI Whistleblower Suchir Balaji Found Dead In Apartment: What We Know - 6d
• @AAKL - "Suspected suicide." Newsweek: OpenAI Whistleblower Suchir Balaji Found Dead In Apartment: What We Know - 6d
• MSPoweruser - He accused OpenAI of copyright violations. Months later, he’s dead - 5d
• TechSpot - Former OpenAI researcher turned whistleblower found dead in San Francisco - 5d

Classification:

• HashTags: OpenAI AICopyright SuchirBalaji
• Company: OpenAI
• Target: OpenAI
• Product: ChatGPT
• Feature: copyright violation
• Type: AI
• Severity: Major