Elon Musk has ignited controversy by suggesting that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman “couldn’t look more guilty” in connection to the death of Suchir Balaji, an OpenAI whistleblower. Musk’s comments, made during a conversation with Joe Rogan regarding Altman’s interview with Tucker Carlson, have intensified scrutiny surrounding Balaji’s passing. Balaji, an expert in copyright law, was found dead in his apartment in November 2024, a month after alleging in a New York Times interview that ChatGPT violated U.S. copyright law.
Musk’s statement, “I don’t know if [Altman] is guilty, but it’s not possible to look more guilty,” has added fuel to existing speculation and calls for a comprehensive investigation. Musk further emphasized the need for a thorough inquiry, stating that one “would certainly insist on a thorough investigation as opposed to trying to sweep it under the rug.” As of late 2024, official investigations are ongoing and no conclusive evidence has been presented to support any specific claims related to Balaji’s death.