OpenAI recently released its first official statement regarding the passing of former employee Suchir Balaji, but the content and timing of the response have sparked controversy, with the public questioning the company's dismissive attitude and its intent to evade responsibility.
In the statement, OpenAI expressed deep shock at this tragedy and stated that they have reached out to Balaji's family to offer support. The company emphasized that they first learned of Balaji's concerns when his comments were published in The New York Times, and they had no further interactions with him afterward. The statement also noted respect for employees' rights to express their views freely.
However, this belated response has drawn criticism on social media. The public feels that OpenAI chose to speak out only a month after Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, and after the incident had gained significant media attention, which appears overly cautious and indifferent.
Critics particularly pointed out that the statement's emphasis on details such as "first learning of the concerns through the media" is seen as an attempt to distance the company from this tragedy rather than a genuine response to the event itself.
This controversy has also sparked broader discussions about how tech companies handle internal dissent and protect whistleblower rights.
