In a blog post, Musk stated that he wanted the company to be for-profit and proposed a completely new structure. OpenAI released documents revealing that Elon Musk directed his wealth manager to establish “Open Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Inc.”, a for-profit subsidiary of the tech giant.

“Elon Musk’s latest legal filing against OpenAI marks his fourth attempt in less than a year to reframe his claims. However, his own words and actions speak for themselves—in 2017, Elon not only wanted but actually created, a for-profit as OpenAI’s proposed new structure,” the company added in a blog post.

OpenAI also claimed that Musk created the public benefit corporation called “Open Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Inc. and further asked the company to raise billions or even merge it with Tesla for the better future. The blog also alleged that OpenAI rejected all the demands as it would align with the company’s mission. The company also claimed that Elon formed xAI—a public benefit corporation that is a direct competitor to OpenAI. For the unversed, OpenAI also challenged Musk’s lawsuit in court to stop shift to a for-profit company.

READ: OpenAI vs Suchir Balaji: Foul play allegations, link with other whistleblowers, full story in 10 points

Meanwhile, Elon Musk has responded to the news of former OpenAI employee Suchir Balaji’s death. The businessmen reacted to the post by writing ‘Hmm’ on X. The former employee and whistleblower was discovered dead in his apartment in November after making allegations about OpenAI’s illegal practices and copyright infringements.

Suchir Balaji, John Barnett, Joshua Dean, Ian Murdock, and Aaron Swartz are just a few examples of those who paid the ultimate price for their courage. From AI ethics to aviation safety, open-source advocacy to digital rights, their stories resonate with anyone who believes in transparency, accountability, and justice. While their deaths were marked by tragedy, their actions sparked vital conversations about whistleblower protections, corporate responsibility, and the price of truth in an often opaque tech industry. This article dives into their legacies, the sacrifices they made, and the impact they left on their respective fields.

Suchir Balaji

Suchir Balaji was a 26-year-old researcher at OpenAI, recognised for his groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence. However, his legacy is equally tied to his courage as a whistleblower. In 2024, Balaji publicly accused OpenAI of violating copyright laws, alleging that its AI models, such as ChatGPT, unlawfully used copyrighted material for training. His disclosures gained widespread attention, especially amidst growing concerns about the ethical use of AI.

Tragically, Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, 2024. Authorities ruled his death a suicide, sparking debates about the pressures faced by individuals exposing the secrets of powerful corporations. Balaji’s revelations and untimely death have left an indelible mark on the AI industry, highlighting the urgent need for transparency, ethical guidelines, and better protections for whistleblowers.

Also Read: What does OpenAI researcher’s death tell us about the ugly side of AI?

John Barnett

John Barnett was a quality control manager at Boeing who became a whistleblower to ensure safety in the aviation industry. With decades of experience, Barnett raised concerns about Boeing’s production processes, including the use of substandard parts and malfunctions in oxygen systems on aircraft. His warnings were particularly alarming in the wake of safety controversies surrounding the Boeing 737 MAX.

Despite the validity of his concerns, Barnett faced immense professional and personal challenges. In March 2024, he was found dead in a hotel parking lot, with authorities ruling his death as self-inflicted. Barnett’s death underscored the immense toll faced by whistleblowers in high-stakes industries. His efforts brought attention to systemic flaws in aviation manufacturing and the need for improved whistleblower protections to safeguard public safety and support ethical professionals.

Joshua Dean

Joshua Dean, a whistleblower at Boeing, joined the ranks of individuals who risked everything to speak out against corporate malpractice. Dean focused on revealing safety violations in aircraft production, emphasising risks that could endanger passengers. Alongside his colleague John Barnett, Dean’s disclosures painted a troubling picture of compromised safety in one of the world’s most trusted industries.

Though Dean’s actions were courageous, they also came at a significant personal cost. He passed away in 2023, with details surrounding his death remaining vague. His demise, along with Barnett’s, prompted other whistleblowers to come forward, shedding further light on systemic issues in aviation safety. Dean’s story reflects the personal sacrifices made by those who prioritize public welfare over corporate secrecy.

Ian Murdock

Ian Murdock was a visionary in the tech world, best known as the founder of Debian, one of the most influential Linux distributions. A staunch advocate for open-source technology, Murdock believed in democratising software to foster innovation and accessibility. His work laid the foundation for countless technological advancements, shaping the modern software ecosystem.

However, Murdock faced personal and professional pressures that culminated in his tragic death in 2015. In the days leading up to his passing, Murdock shared cryptic messages about his experiences with law enforcement and systemic oppression. His death was ruled a suicide, but it raised numerous questions within the tech community. Murdock’s legacy endures through Debian, serving as a testament to his groundbreaking contributions and the ongoing challenges faced by those who challenge the status quo.

Aaron Swartz

Aaron Swartz was a prodigious programmer, activist, and co-founder of Reddit. Known for his relentless pursuit of open access to information, Swartz advocated for a freer and more equitable internet. His efforts included the creation of RSS, contributions to Creative Commons, and campaigns against restrictive legislation like SOPA and PIPA. In 2011, Swartz was indicted for downloading millions of academic papers from JSTOR to make knowledge freely accessible.

Facing severe legal consequences and mounting pressure, Swartz tragically took his own life in 2013 at the age of 26. His death galvanised the tech community and led to widespread discussions about digital rights, prosecutorial overreach, and mental health. Swartz’s enduring legacy is a reminder of the delicate balance between innovation, activism, and the systemic forces that shape our digital world.

Elon Musk ने क्या कहा?

इस पर अब फेमस लोगों की प्रतिक्रिया भी आनी शुरू हो गई है. अब Elon Musk ने भी Suchir Balaji की मौत पर प्रतिक्रिया दी है. उन्होंने Suchir Balaji की मौत वाली खबर पर ‘Hmm’ लिखकर ट्वीट किया है. यानी इस मौत ने सभी को झकझोर दिया है.

Hmm https://t.co/HsElym3uLV

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2024

आपको बता दें कि OpenAI के भी कई कर्मचारियों ने Suchir Balaji की मौत पर रिएक्शन दिया है. Suchir Balaji ने OpenAI के साथ बी काम किया है. इसके बाद उन्हें कंपनी की पॉलिसी सही नहीं लगी. कंपनी पर उन्होंने अमेरिकी कॉपीराइट कानूनों का उल्लंघन करने का आरोप लगाया था.

OpenAI पर सवाल

उन्होंने बताया कि OpenAI AI मॉडल को प्रशिक्षित करने के लिए जिस डेटा का इस्तेमाल करती है उसमें भारी गड़बड़ी है. उन्होंने बताया था कि बिना किसी परमिशन के लोगों के डेटा का इस्तेमाल किया था. उन्होंने बताया कि शुरू-शुरू में उन्हें कॉपीराइट को लेकर ज्यादा जानकारी नहीं थी. लेकिन उन्होंने इसको समझने की कोशिश की तो पता चला कंपनी कितनी बड़ी गड़बड़ी कर रही है.

उन्होंने इसके लिए कंपनी के खिलाफ दायर मुकदमों को भी देखा. मुकदमे देखने के बाद उनको समझ में आया कि कंपनी गलत तरीके से लोगों का डेटा इस्तेमाल कर रही है. आपको बता दें कि भारतीय मूल के बालाजी क्यूपर्टिनो में पले-बढ़े और University of California Berkeley से पढ़ाई की हैं.

उन्होंने कंप्यूटर साइंस में डिग्री ली है. उनका मकसद एआई के जरिए रोग दूर करने पर काम करने पर था. इसके अलावा वे कई समाजिक मुद्दो को भी एआई के जरिए सॉल्व करना चाहते थे. बालाजी Scale AI और Helia में इंटर्नशिप करने के बाद, वह 2020 में OpenAI में शामिल हुए थे.

यह भी पढ़ें: OpenAI के खिलाफ आवाज, फिर रहस्यमयी मौत ने चौंकाया..कौन हैं भारतीय मूल के Suchir Balaji?

1. Suchir Balaji death: Former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji, 26, was discovered dead in his apartment in late November. The cause of death was determined to be suicide after authorities found no evidence of foul play.

2. Suchir Balaji was a computer scientist who graduated from the University of California, then joined as an intern at OpenAI and worked for nearly four years.

READ: Who is Suchir Balaji? The Indian American OpenAI whistleblower found dead in San Francisco

3. Balaji’s concerns with OpenAI: Prior to his passing, Balaji expressed his strong belief that OpenAI had infringed upon US copyright regulations while developing ChatGPT. He argued that the company’s use of copyrighted data to train its AI algorithms had significant legal and ethical concerns.

4. ‘The Whistleblower tag’: Balaji’s position on OpenAI was that of a whistleblower, highlighting concerns about the risks and implications, particularly copyright infringement and commercial viability for content providers.

5. Media attention: Balaji stated on his X post that he personally contacted the New York Times to discuss how AI models such as ChatGPT could damage the commercial viability of individuals and organizations who own the content used to train these systems. He stated that he had an interesting viewpoint as someone who had been in the system for many years.

6. Alleged legal violations: Balaji further claimed that OpenAI is using digital content developed by others without suitable payments or license arrangements, posing major risks to content providers.

7. Links to other whistleblowers: Balaji’s action also aligned with the number of whistleblowers in the tech industry raising alarms about the potential harms of AI, its lack of transparency and consequences of unregulated data usage in training models.

8. Legal battle: OpenAI has been in the news for a long due to legal conflicts with a number of individuals, including Elon Musk. The majority of these claims involve the alleged usage of copyrighted content in its AI system. Publishers, authors, and artists have accused the company of infringing intellectual property rights by exploiting their work without permission.

9. Balaji’s exit from OpenAI: After nearly four years, Balaji departed OpenAI due to serious concerns that the organization was not working in the best interests of content creators or resolving ethical issues.

10. OpenAI’s reaction: The firm expressed its condolences, expressing that they were devastated by the news and extending their heartfelt thoughts to his family and loved ones.

What happened with the former OpenAI researcher?

Suchir Balaji, an Indian-American AI researcher, was discovered deceased under circumstances that authorities have yet to fully disclose. Prior to his death, Balaji had been vocal about OpenAI’s alleged misuse of data. In his final post on X (formerly Twitter), he criticised the company for foul practices and a disregard for user privacy.”Balaji’s allegations centred on OpenAI’s purported unauthorised use of personal data to train its AI models, a claim that has raised serious ethical and legal questions.

Balaji’s criticisms were not new but carried the weight of an insider’s perspective. His accusations against OpenAI included claims of harvesting sensitive user data without consent and deploying it in ways that could potentially violate global data protection laws. His demise has left many wondering if his role as a whistleblower put him in harm’s way. While officials have yet to confirm foul play, the timing of his death has sparked widespread speculation and conspiracy theories online.

Balaji’s death is also being mourned in the tech community, where he was recognised as a brilliant mind dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI. His tragic passing has led to an outpouring of tributes, alongside calls for greater transparency in the practices of AI companies like OpenAI. The incident raises significant questions about the treatment of whistleblowers and the responsibility of corporations to safeguard those who expose wrongdoing.

The shady practices behind closed doors at OpenAI

OpenAI has faced multiple accusations of data theft and privacy violations in recent years, adding to the gravity of Balaji’s claims. In July 2024, a privacy complaint was filed against OpenAI’s ChatGPT in the European Union, alleging breaches of data protection laws. The complaint argued that ChatGPT unlawfully processed personal data without proper consent, violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

One of the central issues is OpenAI’s alleged scraping of publicly available data to train its models. Critics argue that while some data may be publicly accessible, its use in AI training constitutes a breach of privacy and intellectual property rights. The legal challenges have highlighted the blurred lines between publicly available data and ethical AI practices. Further compounding these issues, OpenAI was accused of deleting data pertinent to a copyright lawsuit. The lawsuit claimed that OpenAI’s models were trained on copyrighted material without authorisation, leading to concerns about intellectual property rights and the ethical use of data. This alleged act of data deletion has drawn sharp criticism, with some accusing OpenAI of attempting to evade accountability.

In November 2024, major Canadian news media companies initiated legal action against OpenAI, accusing it of using their content without permission to train AI models. This lawsuit underscored the growing tension between AI developers and content creators over data usage rights. The case has garnered significant media attention and could set a precedent for future AI-related legal battles. Additionally, the Austrian organisation NOYB (None of Your Business) filed a complaint against OpenAI, alleging that the company violated data protection laws by scraping personal data from the internet without consent. 

Recently, in our own backyard, we saw ANI file a lawsuit against OpenAI for unauthorised use of its content. Following that incident, and many others mentioned here, as highlighted in our article covering the lawsuit, “Several major publishers have taken a collaborative approach and have already signed a licensing deal with Open AI to monetise their content. These include the likes of Associated Press, Financial Times, and Axel Springer, the German publisher of Politico and Business Insider.”

These legal challenges highlight the complex landscape of data privacy in the age of AI. OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing, stating that its data collection practices comply with applicable laws and regulations. However, these assurances have done little to quell public scepticism. The controversy has not only put OpenAI under the spotlight but has also raised broader questions about the ethical practices of AI companies. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, the need for robust regulatory frameworks to govern data usage has never been more apparent.

OpenAI is not the only one stealing data for training AI models

The controversy surrounding data misuse is not exclusive to OpenAI. Other tech giants have faced similar allegations, indicating a widespread issue within the AI industry. Salesforce’s CEO recently acknowledged that AI models are often trained on data obtained without proper authorisation, reflecting a broader industry problem. In another instance, Midjourney accused Stability AI of stealing data for AI training purposes, leading to legal disputes over data ownership and consent. The lawsuit highlighted the competitive pressures in the AI industry, where companies often push ethical boundaries to gain an edge. Stability AI denied the allegations, but the case has drawn attention to the murky ethics of data usage in AI development.

Moreover, reports revealed that companies like Apple, Nvidia, and Anthropic used thousands of YouTube videos without creators’ knowledge to train AI models. This practice has raised ethical concerns about the exploitation of creators’ content without fair compensation. Critics argue that such practices undermine the intellectual property rights of content creators and set a dangerous precedent for the future of digital media. The widespread use of personal data scraped from the web to train AI models has prompted discussions about privacy and consent. Individuals’ personal information is often utilised without their knowledge, leading to potential violations of privacy rights. This issue is particularly concerning given the sensitive nature of some of the data being used, including medical records, social media activity, and financial information.

Also Read: Be careful what you wish for about AI

The issue of data misuse extends to the realm of cybersecurity. AI models are susceptible to data poisoning attacks, where malicious actors manipulate training data to compromise AI systems. This vulnerability poses significant risks to the integrity and security of AI applications. Experts warn that as AI systems become more sophisticated, the stakes of data misuse and cybersecurity breaches will only grow. In light of these challenges, experts advocate for stricter regulations and ethical guidelines to govern the use of personal data in AI training. Ensuring transparency, accountability, and respect for individuals’ privacy rights is crucial as AI continues to evolve and integrate into various aspects of society.

Is this it?

The death of Suchir Balaji has intensified scrutiny on OpenAI and the broader AI industry’s data practices. While investigations into his death continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities that accompany technological advancement. The fallout from Balaji’s allegations has already prompted calls for greater oversight of AI companies and their data collection practices.

For OpenAI, the stakes are high. As one of the leading companies in the AI space, its reputation is closely tied to public trust. The ongoing legal challenges and accusations of unethical practices threaten to erode that trust. To address these concerns, OpenAI must demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices and transparency. This includes providing clear explanations of how data is collected and used, as well as ensuring compliance with global data protection laws. At a broader level, the AI industry faces a critical juncture. The rapid pace of AI development has outpaced regulatory frameworks, leaving significant gaps in oversight. Policymakers must act swiftly to address these gaps and establish robust guidelines for data usage in AI training. This includes creating mechanisms for accountability and ensuring that individuals’ privacy rights are protected.

The tragedy of Suchir Balaji’s death also underscores the importance of protecting whistleblowers who expose unethical practices. Whistleblowers play a vital role in holding corporations accountable, but they often face significant risks in doing so. Establishing stronger legal protections for whistleblowers is essential to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within the tech industry. As the world grapples with the ethical implications of AI, Balaji’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability. The challenges of data privacy and ethical AI practices are complex, but they are not insurmountable. By addressing these issues head-on, the tech industry has an opportunity to build a future where innovation is guided by principles of fairness, transparency, and respect for human rights.

Balaji ने इससे पहले सुर्खियां बटोरी थीं जब उन्होंने ChatGPT के विकास में OpenAI पर अमेरिकी कॉपीराइट कानूनों का उल्लंघन करने का आरोप लगाया था. OpenAI पहले से ही मुकदमों का सामना कर रहा है और Balaji की जानकारी कंपनी के खिलाफ मुकदमों में एक बड़ी भूमिका निभाने वाली थी.

Balaji न केवल OpenAI के काम करने के तरीके को लेकर आलोचक थे, बल्कि वे कॉपीराइट कानूनों के लिए भी एक बड़े समर्थक थे. उन्होंने अपने साथी ML रिसर्चर से इसके बारे में और अधिक जानकारी हासिल करने का आग्रह किया था. उनका आखिरी ट्वीट अब वायरल हो रहा है.

आखिरी ट्वीट में क्या कहा

अपने आखिरी ट्वीट में भी उन्होंने OpenAI में होने वाली गलत कार्यप्रणाली के बारे में जानकारी शेयर की थी. उन्होंने बताया कि कैसे उन्हें भी शुरू में इसके बारे में नहीं पता था. अपने आखिरी ट्वीट में, उन्होंने कहा “मैंने हाल ही में उचित उपयोग और जेनेरेटिव AI के बारे में NYT की एक स्टोरी में भाग लिया, और मैं इस बात को लेकर संशय में क्यों हूं कि “उचित उपयोग” कई जेनेरेटिव AI उत्पादों के लिए एक प्रशंसनीय बचाव होगा. मैंने इसके बारे में एक ब्लॉग पोस्ट (suchir.net/fair_use.html) भी लिखी.

I recently participated in a NYT story about fair use and generative AI, and why I'm skeptical "fair use" would be a plausible defense for a lot of generative AI products. I also wrote a blog post (https://t.co/xhiVyCk2Vk) about the nitty-gritty details of fair use and why I…

— Suchir Balaji (@suchirbalaji) October 23, 2024

उन्होंने बताया कि वे लगभग 4 वर्षों तक OpenAI में था और उनमें से पिछले 1.5 वर्षों तक ChatGPT पर काम किया था. उन्होंने बताया कि उन्हें शुरुआत में कॉपीराइट, उचित उपयोग आदि के बारे में ज्यादा जानकारी नहीं थी. लेकिन कंपनी पर दायर किए गए मुकदमे को देखने के बाद वह इसको लेकर उत्सुक हो गए.

इस मुद्दे को बेहतर तरीके से समझने के बाद वह इस नतीजे पर पहुंचे कि कई जेनेरेटिव AI कंटेंट का उचित तरीके से उपयोग नहीं करते हैं. उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि जाहिर बात है कि वह वकील नहीं हैं लेकिन उन्हें ऐसा लगता है कि गैर-वकीलों के लिए भी कानून को समझना महत्वपूर्ण है.

दवाब को लेकर उठे सवाल

कई OpenAI कर्मचारियों ने भी सोशल मीडिया पर उनकी मौत पर शोक व्यक्त किया है. Balaji के मामले में गलत काम की संभावना को नकार दिया गया है, लेकिन इससे सुरक्षा और व्हिसलब्लोअर को सामना करना पड़ने वाले दबाव को लेकर चिंताएं पैदा हुई हैं.

यह भी पढ़ें: OpenAI का पर्दाफाश करने वाले Suchir Balaji की रहस्यमयी मौत, कंपनी पर खड़े हुए कई सवाल!

Balaji के अनुसार OpenAI ने कॉपीराइट का गलत इंटेमाल हुआ

Suchir Balaji के आरोपों ने कंपनी के खिलाफ चल रहे मुकदमे को और हवा दी, जिन्हें लेखकों, पत्रकारों और प्रोग्रामर्स ने दायर किया था, जो यह दावा करते हैं कि उनकी कॉपीराइटेड कॉन्टेन्ट का अवैध रूप से इस्तेमाल कर AI मॉडल को ट्रेनिंग दी है।

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भारतीय मूल के अमेरिकी इंजीनियर थे Balaji

Suchir Balaji, जो क्यूपर्टिनो में पले-बढ़े थे और UC Berkeley से कंप्यूटर साइंस की पढ़ाई की थी, 2020 में OpenAI से जुड़े थे। शुरुआत में उन्हें AI की क्षमता पर विश्वास था कि यह समाजिक समस्याओं जैसे बीमारियों का इलाज और उम्र बढ़ने का मुकाबला करने में मदद कर सकता है। हालांकि, 2022 में उनका नजरिया बदल गया था, जब उन्हें OpenAI की डेटा इकट्ठा करने की प्रक्रिया पर चिंता हुई। Suchir Balaji का कहना था कि GPT-4 प्रोग्राम के लिए इंटरनेट से बड़े पैमाने पर डेटा इकट्ठा करना “फेयर यूज़” कानूनों का उल्लंघन है।

अपने इंटरव्यू में Balaji ने क्या कहा था?

अभी हाल ही में यानि 23 अक्टूबर में न्यू यॉर्क टाइम्स को दिए एक इंटरव्यू में Balaji ने कहा था कि, “अगर आप वही मानते हैं जो मैं मानता हूं, तो मैं कंपनी छोड़ रहा हूँ।” उनका तर्क था कि OpenAI का दृष्टिकोण इंटरनेट पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र के लिए अस्थिर है।

Balaji के पास थे कुछ यहां दस्तावेज?

Suchir Balaji की जानकारी को OpenAI के खिलाफ मुकदमों में एक महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाने की उम्मीद थी। 18 नवम्बर को एक अदालत दस्तावेज में, न्यू यॉर्क टाइम्स के वकीलों ने उन्हें एक ऐसे व्यक्ति के रूप में नामित किया था जिसके पास “जरूरी और प्रासंगिक दस्तावेज़” थे, जो उनके मामले को सपोर्ट करते हैं। वह कम से कम 12 मौजूदा और पूर्व OpenAI कर्मचारियों में से एक थे, जिनका नाम अदालत में सुनवाई से पहले दस्तावेजों में शामिल था।

अपनी वेबसाइट पर कुछ बड़ा खुलासा कर चुके थे Balaji

Suchir Balaji ने अपनी चिंताओं को सार्वजनिक रूप से भी शेयर किया था। अपनी व्यक्तिगत वेबसाइट पर उन्होंने एक विश्लेषण पोस्ट किया था, जिसमें कहा गया था कि कोई भी ज्ञात कारण “यह नहीं दर्शाता कि ChatGPT का प्रशिक्षण डेटा का उपयोग फेयर यूज़ के तहत है।”

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उनकी मौत ने व्हिसलब्लोअर्स पर दबाव और जनरेटिव AI से समस्या पर फिर से सवाल खड़े कर दिए हैं। इस बीच, OpenAI लगातार इन मुकदमों के दावों से इनकार कर रहा है और इनका कहना है कि उनका काम “फेयर यूज़” कानूनों के तहत वैलिड है।

हालांकि, लोग अभी भी इस मौत को लेकर सवाल खड़े कर रहे हैं. उन्होंने OpenAI की नीति के खिलाफ आवाज उठाई थी. वह खबरों में तब आये थे जब उन्होंने ChatGPT के डेवलप होने में OpenAI पर अमेरिकी कॉपीराइट कानूनों का उल्लंघन करने का आरोप लगाया था. उन्होंने तर्क दिया था कंपनी के AI मॉडल को प्रशिक्षित करने के तरीके में भारी गड़बड़ी थी.

कंपनी को जरूरी परमिशन नहीं- बालाजी

उनके अनुसार, इसके लिए कंपनी ने बिना किसी परमिशन के लोगों के डेटा का इस्तेमाल किया था. उन्होंने बताया था कि इन डेटा का इस्तेमाल करके कंपनी ने अपने मॉडल को ट्रेनिंग दी थी. इसके लिए जरूरी परमिशन नहीं लिए गए थे. उन्होंने अपने सोशल मीडिया पोस्ट में बताया था कि शुरू में उन्हें कॉपीराइट वगैरह के बारे में ज्यादा जानकारी नहीं थी.

लेकिन कंपनी के खिलाफ दायर मुकदमे को देखने के बाद उन्होंने इसको समझने की कोशिश की. इसके बाद वह इस नतीजे पर पहुंचे कि कई जेनेरेटिव AI प्रोडक्ट्स के लिए उचित उपयोग एक बहुत ही असंभव बचाव है. इस बुनियादी कारण से कि वे ऐसे विकल्प बना सकते हैं जो उस डेटा से प्रतिस्पर्धा करते हैं जिस पर उन्हें प्रशिक्षित किया गया है.

Suchir Balaji कौन थे?

Balaji क्यूपर्टिनो में पले-बढ़े और University of California, Berkeley से कंप्यूटर साइंस की पढ़ाई की थी. वहां पर उन्होंने पढ़ाई के दौरान ही रोगों को ठीक करने और बुढ़ापे से लड़ने जैसी दिक्कतों को दूर करने के लिए AI पर काम करने का फैसला लिया था.

Scale AI और Helia में इंटर्नशिप करने के बाद, वह 2020 में OpenAI में शामिल हुए थे. Balaji का नजरिया 2022 में बदल गया जब उन्हें OpenAI के GPT-4 प्रोजेक्ट के लिए इंटरनेट डेटा एकत्र करने और विश्लेषण करने का काम सौंपा गया था. फिर उन्हें अहसास हुआ कि इस प्रोसेस में कॉपीराइट कानूनों का उल्लंघन किया गया है. इसने कंटेंट क्रिएटर्स के अधिकारों को कमजोर किया है.

OpenAI के खिलाफ़ मुकदमों में Balaji की आवाज भी काफी महत्वपूर्ण बन गई. उनकी चुनौती को अदालती फाइलिंग के मंजूर कर लिया गया था. जिसमें कहा गया था कि OpenAI ने बिना अनुमति के कॉपीराइट सामग्री का इस्तेमाल किया है.

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Balaji के आरोप

Balaji के आरोपों ने कंपनी के खिलाफ पहले से चल रहे मुकदमों में और भी कई बातें जोड़ दी थी. कंपनी पर लेखकों, पत्रकारों और प्रोग्रामरों ने मुकदमा दायर किया था. मुकदमा करने वालों ने दावा किया था कि AI मॉडल को प्रशिक्षित करने के लिए उनकी कॉपीराइट सामग्री का गैरकानूनी रूप से इस्तेमाल किया गया था.

आपको बता दें कि क्यूपर्टिनो में पले-बढ़े बालाजी ने UC Berkeley से कंप्यूटर साइंस की पढ़ाई की थी. वह साल 2020 में OpenAI में शामिल हुए थे. शुरुआत में, वे रोगों को ठीक करने और बुढ़ापे से लड़ने जैसी बड़ी सामाजिक समस्याओं को हल करने के लिए AI की क्षमता को लेकर आशावादी थे.

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हालांकि, 2022 आते-आते उनका नजरिया बदल गया जब वे OpenAI के डेटा एकत्र करने के तरीकों को लेकर चिंतित हो गए. Balaji ने दावा किया कि GPT-4 प्रोग्राम के लिए बड़ी मात्रा में इंटरनेट डेटा एकत्र करना “फेयर उपयोग” क़ानूनों का उल्लंघन है.

मुकदमे में अहम भूमिका

The New York Times को दिए एक इंटरव्यू में उन्होंने बताया कि “अगर आप मेरे विश्वास पर विश्वास करते हैं, तो आपको कंपनी छोड़नी होगी.” उन्होंने तर्क दिया कि OpenAI का दृष्टिकोण इंटरनेट इकोसिस्टम के लिए टिकाऊ नहीं था. OpenAI के खिलाफ मुकदमों में Balaji की रिसर्च महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाने वाली थी.

18 नवंबर को एक अदालती फाइलिंग में The New York Times के वकीलों ने उनका नाम “यूनिक और संबंधित दस्तावेज” वाले व्यक्ति के रूप में लिया. जो उनके मामले का समर्थन करते हैं. वह कम से कम 12 मौजूदा और पूर्व OpenAI कर्मचारियों में से एक थे जिन्हें बयानों से पहले अदालती फाइलिंग में लिस्टिंग की गई थी.

Balaji ने सार्वजनिक रूप से भी अपनी चिंताएं शेयर की थीं. अपनी पर्सनल वेबसाइट पर उन्होंने एक विश्लेषण पोस्ट किया जिसमें कहा गया था कि कोई भी ज्ञात कारक “यह समर्थन नहीं करता है कि ChatGPT अपने ट्रेनिंग डेटा का उचित उपयोग है.” अब उनकी मौत ने व्हिसलब्लोअर पर पड़ने वाले दबाव को लेकर सवाल खड़े कर दिए हैं.

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Balaji was not only critical of OpenAI’s practices but he was also a big advocate for copyright laws and urged his fellow ML researchers to understand more about it. Even in his last tweet, he shared details about the foul practices that took place at OpenAI and shared how he was also not aware about it at first.

Also read: OpenAI Whistleblower Suchir Balaji found dead: What he had said against the AI company

In his last tweet, he said

I recently participated in a NYT story about fair use and generative AI, and why I'm skeptical "fair use" would be a plausible defense for a lot of generative AI products. I also wrote a blog post (https://t.co/xhiVyCk2Vk) about the nitty-gritty details of fair use and why I…

— Suchir Balaji (@suchirbalaji) October 23, 2024

“I recently participated in a NYT story about fair use and generative AI, and why I’m skeptical “fair use” would be a plausible defense for a lot of generative AI products. I also wrote a blog post (suchir.net/fair_use.html) about the nitty-gritty details of fair use and why I believe this.

To give some context: I was at OpenAI for nearly 4 years and worked on ChatGPT for the last 1.5 of them. I initially didn’t know much about copyright, fair use, etc. but became curious after seeing all the lawsuits filed against GenAI companies. When I tried to understand the issue better, I eventually came to the conclusion that fair use seems like a pretty implausible defense for a lot of generative AI products, for the basic reason that they can create substitutes that compete with the data they’re trained on. I’ve written up the more detailed reasons for why I believe this in my post. Obviously, I’m not a lawyer, but I still feel like it’s important for even non-lawyers to understand the law — both the letter of it, and also why it’s actually there in the first place.

That being said, I don’t want this to read as a critique of ChatGPT or OpenAI per se, because fair use and generative AI is a much broader issue than any one product or company. I highly encourage ML researchers to learn more about copyright — it’s a really important topic, and precedent that’s often cited like Google Books isn’t actually as supportive as it might seem.

Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to chat about fair use, ML, or copyright — I think it’s a very interesting intersection. My email’s on my personal website.”

Several OpenAI employees also took to social media to mourn his death. Foul play has been ruled out in Balaji’s case but it has raised concerns about safety and the pressure that whistleblowers have to deal with.