OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Defends Suicide Finding In Whistleblower Suchir Balaji Death

In a contentious interview with Tucker Carlson, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the death of Suchir Balaji, an OpenAI researcher who had accused the company of copyright violations and was found dead under suspicious circumstances. Carlson pressed Altman, asserting that Balaji was likely murdered, citing signs of a struggle, cut surveillance wires, and no apparent suicidal behavior, while Altman maintained that the official investigation concluded suicide, emphasizing the presence of a self-purchased gun. Altman described Balaji as a long-time colleague and expressed personal shock at the tragedy, but he firmly rejected murder allegations and highlighted the unusual nature of being accused of such a crime during the interview. Carlson challenged the dismissal of the case as suicide by authorities, suggesting the need for further investigation given the evidence presented. Throughout the exchange, Altman remained committed to the police findings despite Carlson's repeated insistence on inconsistencies surrounding Balaji's death. The interview brought renewed attention to the controversy over OpenAI's practices and the unresolved questions about Balaji's demise.