Tomoki Chien

Emily Shugerman

It didn’t take long for Suchir Balaji’s death to become a conspiracy.

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It didn’t take long for Suchir Balaji’s death to become a conspiracy.

San Francisco police had only just announced the death of the 26-year-old — a software engineer who had recently made damaging claims about OpenAI, his former employer — when the speculation exploded.

San Francisco police had only just announced the death of the 26-year-old — a software engineer who had recently made damaging claims about OpenAI, his former employer — when the speculation exploded.

Something “<a href="https://x.com/AntiLeftMemes/status/1873445520687112262">nefarious</a>” happened to Balaji, observers posited on X after he was found dead Nov. 26 in his Buchanan Street apartment. He was the victim of a “<a href="https://x.com/maddass1218/status/1867766042707013677">hit</a>.” The circumstances were “<a href="https://x.com/robbystarbuck/status/1873447081991680375">very suspicious</a>.” He must have been assassinated, posters said, to prevent him from further harming one of the world’s most valuable AI companies.

Something “<a href="https://x.com/AntiLeftMemes/status/1873445520687112262">nefarious</a>” happened to Balaji, observers posited on X after he was found dead Nov. 26 in his Buchanan Street apartment. He was the victim of a “<a href="https://x.com/maddass1218/status/1867766042707013677">hit</a>.” The circumstances were “<a href="https://x.com/robbystarbuck/status/1873447081991680375">very suspicious</a>.” He must have been assassinated, posters said, to prevent him from further harming one of the world’s most valuable AI companies.

San Francisco authorities ruled the death a suicide, and police said they found “no evidence of foul play.” But in the absence of further information, the story has taken on a life of its own. A coalition of right-wing pundits, conspiracy-minded journalists, crypto enthusiasts, and now, Balaji’s parents, are filling the information vacuum, with some exploiting his death to generate millions off a crypto coin named in his memory.

San Francisco authorities ruled the death a suicide, and police said they found “no evidence of foul play.” But in the absence of further information, the story has taken on a life of its own. A coalition of right-wing pundits, conspiracy-minded journalists, crypto enthusiasts, and now, Balaji’s parents, are filling the information vacuum, with some exploiting his death to generate millions off a crypto coin named in his memory.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-family-in-shock">A family in shock</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-family-in-shock">A family in shock</h2>

Like all good conspiracy theories, this one begins with solid facts: A month before his death, Balaji <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/technology/openai-copyright-law.html">told The New York Times</a> that OpenAI, his employer of four years,&nbsp;was illegally training ChatGPT on copyrighted data. He later pledged to testify in The Times’ lawsuit against OpenAI, the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/openai-whistleblower-suchir-balaji-death-283e70b31d34ebb71b62e73aafb56a7d">Associated Press reported</a>.

Like all good conspiracy theories, this one begins with solid facts: A month before his death, Balaji <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/technology/openai-copyright-law.html">told The New York Times</a> that OpenAI, his employer of four years,&nbsp;was illegally training ChatGPT on copyrighted data. He later pledged to testify in The Times’ lawsuit against OpenAI, the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/openai-whistleblower-suchir-balaji-death-283e70b31d34ebb71b62e73aafb56a7d">Associated Press reported</a>.

On Dec. 14, nearly three weeks after his death, Balaji’s mother took to X with <a href="https://x.com/RaoPoornima/status/1868174889057997295">a shocking message</a>: “We are the parents of happy, smart and brave young man Suchir, found dead in his [apartment] on 11/26/2024,” Poornima Ramarao wrote. “We are seeking to know complete truth, we need more answers.”

On Dec. 14, nearly three weeks after his death, Balaji’s mother took to X with <a href="https://x.com/RaoPoornima/status/1868174889057997295">a shocking message</a>: “We are the parents of happy, smart and brave young man Suchir, found dead in his [apartment] on 11/26/2024,” Poornima Ramarao wrote. “We are seeking to know complete truth, we need more answers.”

Ramarao tagged X owner Elon Musk, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Vivek Ramaswamy in the post, which was followed by a flood of others calling for a “<a href="https://x.com/RaoPoornima/status/1870619453488291972">comprehensive investigation</a>” and announcing that the family had <a href="https://x.com/RaoPoornima/status/1873282982150324393">hired a private investigator</a> and secured a second autopsy.&nbsp;

Ramarao tagged X owner Elon Musk, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Vivek Ramaswamy in the post, which was followed by a flood of others calling for a “<a href="https://x.com/RaoPoornima/status/1870619453488291972">comprehensive investigation</a>” and announcing that the family had <a href="https://x.com/RaoPoornima/status/1873282982150324393">hired a private investigator</a> and secured a second autopsy.&nbsp;

In <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/suchir-balaji-openai-mom-death-concerns-interview-2024-12">interviews</a> with national media, Ramarao insisted her son couldn’t have been suicidal. He was a high achiever, she said, a child prodigy. Somebody with no reason to end his life.&nbsp;

In <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/suchir-balaji-openai-mom-death-concerns-interview-2024-12">interviews</a> with national media, Ramarao insisted her son couldn’t have been suicidal. He was a high achiever, she said, a child prodigy. Somebody with no reason to end his life.&nbsp;

“His time of death is few hours after his last call with family,” she wrote in her initial tweet. “We don’t understand within few hours what happened.”

“His time of death is few hours after his last call with family,” she wrote in her initial tweet. “We don’t understand within few hours what happened.”

Suchir Balaji, 26, worked for roughly four years as an artificial intelligence (Ai) researcher at OpenAI until he after he quit the company in August 2024 and became a whistleblower. Balaji accused OpenAI of using copyrighted material to train ChatGPT. On Nov. 26, 2024, Balaji was found dead in his Lower Haight apartment in San Francisco.  Officers and medics arrived on scene and located a deceased adult male from what appeared to be a suicide and SFPD said there was no evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/uos86931.jpg?w=2500" alt="Suchir Balaji sits at a white countertop with sun shining in from a window behind him." class="wp-image-351771"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Balaji accused OpenAI of using copyrighted material to train ChatGPT. A month later, he was found dead in his Lower Haight apartment.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/uos86931.jpg?w=2500" alt="Suchir Balaji sits at a white countertop with sun shining in from a window behind him." class="wp-image-351771"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Balaji accused OpenAI of using copyrighted material to train ChatGPT. A month later, he was found dead in his Lower Haight apartment.</figcaption></figure>

In an interview with The Standard, Ramarao and her husband, Balaji Ramamurthy, doubled down on these assertions, saying they believed their son was murdered at the behest of OpenAI and other artificial intelligence companies. “It’s a $100 billion industry that’d be turned upside down by his testimony,&#8221; Ramarao said. &#8220;It could be a group of people involved, a group of companies, a complete nexus.”

In an interview with The Standard, Ramarao and her husband, Balaji Ramamurthy, doubled down on these assertions, saying they believed their son was murdered at the behest of OpenAI and other artificial intelligence companies. “It’s a $100 billion industry that’d be turned upside down by his testimony," Ramarao said. "It could be a group of people involved, a group of companies, a complete nexus.”

In an interview with The Standard, Ramarao and her husband, Balaji Ramamurthy, doubled down on these assertions, saying they believed their son was murdered at the behest of OpenAI and other artificial intelligence companies. “It’s a $100 billion industry that’d be turned upside down by his testimony,&#8221; Ramarao said. &#8220;It could be a group of people involved, a group of companies, a complete nexus.”

Ramarao sees danger everywhere. She accused the city government of facilitating a cover-up. She suspected that a secondary pathologist she hired was “hand-in-glove involved” with the San Francisco medical examiner who conducted the official autopsy. She charged her own attorney, with whom she is no longer working, of “changing the narrative.” At one point, she accused a Bay Area television station of passing notes to OpenAI, then accused a Standard reporter of being “paid PR.”

Ramarao sees danger everywhere. She accused the city government of facilitating a cover-up. She suspected that a secondary pathologist she hired was “hand-in-glove involved” with the San Francisco medical examiner who conducted the official autopsy. She charged her own attorney, with whom she is no longer working, of “changing the narrative.” At one point, she accused a Bay Area television station of passing notes to OpenAI, then accused a Standard reporter of being “paid PR.”

Ramarao claimed that the secondary autopsy proved her son was shot in the back of the head from an angle at which he could not have shot himself. From blood spatter on the bathroom floor, she surmised that Balaji was trying to escape. “There was an assault on him,” she insisted. “He was brushing his teeth. His toothbrush had fallen down. He was attacked from behind.”

Ramarao claimed that the secondary autopsy proved her son was shot in the back of the head from an angle at which he could not have shot himself. From blood spatter on the bathroom floor, she surmised that Balaji was trying to escape. “There was an assault on him,” she insisted. “He was brushing his teeth. His toothbrush had fallen down. He was attacked from behind.”

The family declined to provide to The Standard the secondary autopsy report, and the private pathologist did not respond to a request for comment. The family’s new attorney, Joe Goethals, cautioned that the autopsy may not provide incontrovertible proof.&nbsp;

The family declined to provide to The Standard the secondary autopsy report, and the private pathologist did not respond to a request for comment. The family’s new attorney, Joe Goethals, cautioned that the autopsy may not provide incontrovertible proof.&nbsp;

“I would not characterize it as conclusively proving murder,” he told The Standard, though he added that the family was “not satisfied with the premature conclusion of the medical examiner in this case.”

“I would not characterize it as conclusively proving murder,” he told The Standard, though he added that the family was “not satisfied with the premature conclusion of the medical examiner in this case.”

David Serrano Sewell, director of the office of the city’s chief medical examiner, said “there are no reports for issuance at this time” when asked for a copy of Balaji’s autopsy.

David Serrano Sewell, director of the office of the city’s chief medical examiner, said “there are no reports for issuance at this time” when asked for a copy of Balaji’s autopsy.

The National Association of Medical Examiners <a href="https://name.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/NAME%20Accreditation%20Checklist%202024%20-%202029.pdf">requires</a> that departments complete most postmortem reports within 90 days to receive accreditation. Balaji died 43 days ago.&nbsp;

The National Association of Medical Examiners <a href="https://name.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/NAME%20Accreditation%20Checklist%202024%20-%202029.pdf">requires</a> that departments complete most postmortem reports within 90 days to receive accreditation. Balaji died 43 days ago.&nbsp;

The San Francisco Police Department declined to share a full incident report, citing the “active and open investigation.”&nbsp;

The San Francisco Police Department declined to share a full incident report, citing the “active and open investigation.”&nbsp;

OpenAI said in a statement that it first became aware of Balaji’s concerns after the article in The New York Times and had “no record of any further interaction with him.” The statement added: “We respect his, and others’, right to share views freely.”

OpenAI said in a statement that it first became aware of Balaji’s concerns after the article in The New York Times and had “no record of any further interaction with him.” The statement added: “We respect his, and others’, right to share views freely.”

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-theories-spread">The theories spread</h2>

Seemingly reeling from the death of her son, Ramarao has only added fuel to an already raging online conspiracy fire. Even before Balaji’s family issued a statement, X influencer accounts had seized on the narrative, suggesting foul play. Hours after the news of Balaji’s death broke Dec. 13, the popular tech account Autism Capital <a href="https://x.com/AutismCapital/status/1867722111303004543">posted about it on X</a>, saying: “They&#8217;re really out here offing whistleblowers in these streets lmao … AI wars are real.”

Seemingly reeling from the death of her son, Ramarao has only added fuel to an already raging online conspiracy fire. Even before Balaji’s family issued a statement, X influencer accounts had seized on the narrative, suggesting foul play. Hours after the news of Balaji’s death broke Dec. 13, the popular tech account Autism Capital <a href="https://x.com/AutismCapital/status/1867722111303004543">posted about it on X</a>, saying: “They're really out here offing whistleblowers in these streets lmao … AI wars are real.”

Seemingly reeling from the death of her son, Ramarao has only added fuel to an already raging online conspiracy fire. Even before Balaji’s family issued a statement, X influencer accounts had seized on the narrative, suggesting foul play. Hours after the news of Balaji’s death broke Dec. 13, the popular tech account Autism Capital <a href="https://x.com/AutismCapital/status/1867722111303004543">posted about it on X</a>, saying: “They&#8217;re really out here offing whistleblowers in these streets lmao … AI wars are real.”

Suspicion quickly spread to other accounts: “DARK QUESTIONS SURROUND OPENAI WHISTLEBLOWER&#8217;S DEATH,” business influencer Mario Nawfal <a href="https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/1873527506541613400">shouted</a> to his 1.8 million followers. &#8220;Anti-woke activist&#8221; Robby Starbuck got in on the action, calling Balaji’s death “<a href="https://x.com/robbystarbuck/status/1873447081991680375">very suspicious</a>,” as did <a href="https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1873444134197055693">Collin Rugg</a>, owner of right-wing news site Trending Politics. Many of the accounts possessed similar identities: uber-online, vaguely right-wing techies with an incentive to drum up controversy in order to boost their clout.&nbsp;

Suspicion quickly spread to other accounts: “DARK QUESTIONS SURROUND OPENAI WHISTLEBLOWER'S DEATH,” business influencer Mario Nawfal <a href="https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/1873527506541613400">shouted</a> to his 1.8 million followers. "Anti-woke activist" Robby Starbuck got in on the action, calling Balaji’s death “<a href="https://x.com/robbystarbuck/status/1873447081991680375">very suspicious</a>,” as did <a href="https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1873444134197055693">Collin Rugg</a>, owner of right-wing news site Trending Politics. Many of the accounts possessed similar identities: uber-online, vaguely right-wing techies with an incentive to drum up controversy in order to boost their clout.&nbsp;

Suspicion quickly spread to other accounts: “DARK QUESTIONS SURROUND OPENAI WHISTLEBLOWER&#8217;S DEATH,” business influencer Mario Nawfal <a href="https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/1873527506541613400">shouted</a> to his 1.8 million followers. &#8220;Anti-woke activist&#8221; Robby Starbuck got in on the action, calling Balaji’s death “<a href="https://x.com/robbystarbuck/status/1873447081991680375">very suspicious</a>,” as did <a href="https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1873444134197055693">Collin Rugg</a>, owner of right-wing news site Trending Politics. Many of the accounts possessed similar identities: uber-online, vaguely right-wing techies with an incentive to drum up controversy in order to boost their clout.&nbsp;

The conspiracy theorists also shared something else: Many were friendly with — or fans of — X owner Musk, who has been embroiled in a public battle with OpenAI for more than a year. Musk co-founded OpenAI along with Altman and nine other people in 2015 but left in 2018, citing possible conflicts of interest with his role at Tesla. He has since founded his own AI company and is suing OpenAI to prevent it from becoming a for-profit entity. And he has eagerly engaged in the Balaji conspiracy chatter, writing “<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1867721215672299764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1867721215672299764%7Ctwgr%5E9a0be74b6c5b136577e79b9f7297e9ab81798545%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Ftechnology%2Ftech-news%2Fcryptic-hmm-microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-on-chatgpt-investment-posts-that-elon-musk-shared-after-ex-openai-employee-suchir-balajis-death%2Farticleshow%2F116318562.cms">Hmm</a>” on a post about the death and commenting “<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1873376087641837598">Concerning</a>,” under one of Nawfal’s posts.

The conspiracy theorists also shared something else: Many were friendly with — or fans of — X owner Musk, who has been embroiled in a public battle with OpenAI for more than a year. Musk co-founded OpenAI along with Altman and nine other people in 2015 but left in 2018, citing possible conflicts of interest with his role at Tesla. He has since founded his own AI company and is suing OpenAI to prevent it from becoming a for-profit entity. And he has eagerly engaged in the Balaji conspiracy chatter, writing “<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1867721215672299764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1867721215672299764%7Ctwgr%5E9a0be74b6c5b136577e79b9f7297e9ab81798545%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Ftechnology%2Ftech-news%2Fcryptic-hmm-microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-on-chatgpt-investment-posts-that-elon-musk-shared-after-ex-openai-employee-suchir-balajis-death%2Farticleshow%2F116318562.cms">Hmm</a>” on a post about the death and commenting “<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1873376087641837598">Concerning</a>,” under one of Nawfal’s posts.

When Ramarao tweeted about hiring the private investigator, Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1873367418556612894">replied</a>: “This doesn’t seem like a suicide.”&nbsp;

When Ramarao tweeted about hiring the private investigator, Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1873367418556612894">replied</a>: “This doesn’t seem like a suicide.”&nbsp;

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/uos7972.jpg?w=2000" alt="Suchir Balaji looks directly at the camera. The lighting casts soft shadows on his face, creating a dramatic effect. He wears a dark shirt." class="wp-image-351769"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Balaji&#8217;s death has led to a flurry of conspiracy theories.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/uos7972.jpg?w=2000" alt="Suchir Balaji looks directly at the camera. The lighting casts soft shadows on his face, creating a dramatic effect. He wears a dark shirt." class="wp-image-351769"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Balaji's death has led to a flurry of conspiracy theories.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/uos7972.jpg?w=2000" alt="Suchir Balaji looks directly at the camera. The lighting casts soft shadows on his face, creating a dramatic effect. He wears a dark shirt." class="wp-image-351769"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Balaji&#8217;s death has led to a flurry of conspiracy theories.</figcaption></figure>

The posts have led to a groundswell of support: The family has raised more than $200,000 through crypto donations and GoFundMe; one supporter created a crypto <a href="https://solscan.io/token/ByXTsen3ftsd7SsqgXpSZqrEeoMV8Smhz1vox9j6pump">“memecoin” named after Balaji</a>, the total value of which is currently around $1.5 million.

The posts have led to a groundswell of support: The family has raised more than $200,000 through crypto donations and GoFundMe; one supporter created a crypto <a href="https://solscan.io/token/ByXTsen3ftsd7SsqgXpSZqrEeoMV8Smhz1vox9j6pump">“memecoin” named after Balaji</a>, the total value of which is currently around $1.5 million.

An especially devoted follower created an account called “<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/SuchirJustice" rel="noreferrer noopener">Suchir Justice Movement</a>” that posts daily updates on the case — often retweeting Balaji’s mother — and helped the parents set up a crypto wallet to collect donations. The owner of the account, a 38-year-old living in Los Angeles who asked not to be named, told The Standard he learned of Balaji’s death through the memecoin and became invested in the story after reading more. While he said he is “not a big conspiracy person,” he is convinced that Balaji’s death was not a suicide, and created the X account and a corresponding Telegram group to keep interest in the story alive.

An especially devoted follower created an account called “<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/SuchirJustice" rel="noreferrer noopener">Suchir Justice Movement</a>” that posts daily updates on the case — often retweeting Balaji’s mother — and helped the parents set up a crypto wallet to collect donations. The owner of the account, a 38-year-old living in Los Angeles who asked not to be named, told The Standard he learned of Balaji’s death through the memecoin and became invested in the story after reading more. While he said he is “not a big conspiracy person,” he is convinced that Balaji’s death was not a suicide, and created the X account and a corresponding Telegram group to keep interest in the story alive.

“I didn’t want someone to launch this coin, make a bunch of money, and for it to just be dead,” he said. “I saw it as a catalyst for people who believe in Suchir.”

“I didn’t want someone to launch this coin, make a bunch of money, and for it to just be dead,” he said. “I saw it as a catalyst for people who believe in Suchir.”

Another supporter, a Bay Area realtor named Girish Bangalore who said he attended engineering school with Ramarao in India, created an online petition to demand a “comprehensive investigation” into the death. It has more than 13,000 signatures.

Another supporter, a Bay Area realtor named Girish Bangalore who said he attended engineering school with Ramarao in India, created an online petition to demand a “comprehensive investigation” into the death. It has more than 13,000 signatures.

Bangalore said he’d like to see a full report from the medical examiner. “The public officials should come out with their investigative report,” he told The Standard about the online theories. “The fact that they’re not doing that only adds to that story.”

Bangalore said he’d like to see a full report from the medical examiner. “The public officials should come out with their investigative report,” he told The Standard about the online theories. “The fact that they’re not doing that only adds to that story.”

The family briefly partnered with George Webb, a self-described “independent journalist” who has posted conspiracy theories about Covid and the attempted assassinations of Donald Trump. <a href="https://x.com/RealGeorgeWebb1">Webb’s X account</a> — which two weeks ago was littered with videos about murder suspect Luigi Mangione — is now filled with amateur crime scene analyses that he insists prove Balaji was murdered. Last week, Webb posted a video with Balaji’s parents, claiming they had just toured their son’s apartment and were about to walk around asking neighbors if they’d heard gunshots.&nbsp;

The family briefly partnered with George Webb, a self-described “independent journalist” who has posted conspiracy theories about Covid and the attempted assassinations of Donald Trump. <a href="https://x.com/RealGeorgeWebb1">Webb’s X account</a> — which two weeks ago was littered with videos about murder suspect Luigi Mangione — is now filled with amateur crime scene analyses that he insists prove Balaji was murdered. Last week, Webb posted a video with Balaji’s parents, claiming they had just toured their son’s apartment and were about to walk around asking neighbors if they’d heard gunshots.&nbsp;

Less than a week later, it appeared the relationship had soured: Ramarao wrote on X that Webb “broke our trust” and was “making statements that are not accurate.” Webb responded with his own post, saying “no good deed goes unpunished” and suggesting the family was ungrateful for his help. He continues to post about the case. Webb did not respond to a request for comment.

Less than a week later, it appeared the relationship had soured: Ramarao wrote on X that Webb “broke our trust” and was “making statements that are not accurate.” Webb responded with his own post, saying “no good deed goes unpunished” and suggesting the family was ungrateful for his help. He continues to post about the case. Webb did not respond to a request for comment.

At times, the theories have veered into absurdity. The Suchir Justice Movement account, with which Ramarao frequently interacts, at one point <a href="https://x.com/SuchirJustice/status/1874875416676352184">questioned whether Balaji could have met with Mangione</a> in San Francisco to discuss United Healthcare. The latest obsession of the theorists is that OpenAI has “<a href="https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/1876202840776982702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1876202840776982702%7Ctwgr%5E23040df46f1af800fe7cf454101bd53879ee4486%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.asianetnews.com%2Ftwitter-iframe%2Fshow.html%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FMarioNawfal%2Fstatus%2F1876202840776982702%3Fref_src%3Dtwsrc5Etfw">scrubbed all references</a>” of Balaji from ChatGPT. That is demonstrably false: When The Standard queried ChatGPT, it returned 500 words detailing Balaji’s life, work history, and death. It even linked to one of Webb’s videos.

At times, the theories have veered into absurdity. The Suchir Justice Movement account, with which Ramarao frequently interacts, at one point <a href="https://x.com/SuchirJustice/status/1874875416676352184">questioned whether Balaji could have met with Mangione</a> in San Francisco to discuss United Healthcare. The latest obsession of the theorists is that OpenAI has “<a href="https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/1876202840776982702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1876202840776982702%7Ctwgr%5E23040df46f1af800fe7cf454101bd53879ee4486%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.asianetnews.com%2Ftwitter-iframe%2Fshow.html%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FMarioNawfal%2Fstatus%2F1876202840776982702%3Fref_src%3Dtwsrc5Etfw">scrubbed all references</a>” of Balaji from ChatGPT. That is demonstrably false: When The Standard queried ChatGPT, it returned 500 words detailing Balaji’s life, work history, and death. It even linked to one of Webb’s videos.

Beneath the posting and the theorizing, Ramarao and Ramamurthy are a mother and father devastated by the loss of their son. Reading Balaji’s journal after his death only made the loss more acute, Ramarao told The Standard. “He talks about Buddha, he talks about the soul, he talks about God,” she said. “He tries to draw parallels between the material world and spiritual world: very abstract and very deep. He was above all of our thinking.”

Beneath the posting and the theorizing, Ramarao and Ramamurthy are a mother and father devastated by the loss of their son. Reading Balaji’s journal after his death only made the loss more acute, Ramarao told The Standard. “He talks about Buddha, he talks about the soul, he talks about God,” she said. “He tries to draw parallels between the material world and spiritual world: very abstract and very deep. He was above all of our thinking.”

Bangalore, the friend who started the petition, described Ramarao and Ramamurthy as parents &#8220;under tremendous stress.&#8221; &#8220;On one side is the trauma of losing their only child,&#8221; Bangalore said. &#8220;On the other side is, they’re immigrants from a foreign country that don’t really know what to do or how things work here.”

Bangalore, the friend who started the petition, described Ramarao and Ramamurthy as parents "under tremendous stress." "On one side is the trauma of losing their only child," Bangalore said. "On the other side is, they’re immigrants from a foreign country that don’t really know what to do or how things work here.”

Bangalore, the friend who started the petition, described Ramarao and Ramamurthy as parents &#8220;under tremendous stress.&#8221; &#8220;On one side is the trauma of losing their only child,&#8221; Bangalore said. &#8220;On the other side is, they’re immigrants from a foreign country that don’t really know what to do or how things work here.”

When asked about Balaji’s state of mind after blowing the whistle on his employer, Ramarao said she noticed he was “very afraid” and acting unusually. Ramamurthy said his son had “fear and anxiousness.” But both parents were adamant that Balaji did not die by suicide. “He was very proud of what he was doing —&nbsp;where is the depression?” Ramarao said. “How do you think it’s suicide? It’s brutal murder. Cold-blooded murder.”

When asked about Balaji’s state of mind after blowing the whistle on his employer, Ramarao said she noticed he was “very afraid” and acting unusually. Ramamurthy said his son had “fear and anxiousness.” But both parents were adamant that Balaji did not die by suicide. “He was very proud of what he was doing —&nbsp;where is the depression?” Ramarao said. “How do you think it’s suicide? It’s brutal murder. Cold-blooded murder.”

OpenAI whistleblower’s death sparks dark conspiracy theories

Rya Jetha

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has denied allegations of sexual abuse made by his sister Ann Altman in a lawsuit filed Monday. She claims her older brother sexually “groomed and manipulated” her beginning around the time she was 3.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has denied allegations of sexual abuse made by his sister Ann Altman in a lawsuit filed Monday. She claims her older brother sexually “groomed and manipulated” her beginning around the time she was 3.

The lawsuit alleges that Sam committed acts of rape, molestation, sodomy, and battery on Ann, who goes by Annie, “several times a week” for nearly a decade, with the final acts taking place when he was an adult and she was still a minor.&nbsp;

The lawsuit alleges that Sam committed acts of rape, molestation, sodomy, and battery on Ann, who goes by Annie, “several times a week” for nearly a decade, with the final acts taking place when he was an adult and she was still a minor.&nbsp;

Sam Altman called the allegations “utterly untrue” in a <a href="https://x.com/sama/status/1876780763653263770">joint statement</a> posted Tuesday on X with his mother, Connie, and his brothers Jack and Max. The family referenced Annie’s history of accusing family members of wrongdoing over the years and said her claims have “evolved drastically over time.”&nbsp;

Sam Altman called the allegations “utterly untrue” in a <a href="https://x.com/sama/status/1876780763653263770">joint statement</a> posted Tuesday on X with his mother, Connie, and his brothers Jack and Max. The family referenced Annie’s history of accusing family members of wrongdoing over the years and said her claims have “evolved drastically over time.”&nbsp;

According to the family, Annie has mental health challenges, and relatives have tried to support her with financial and medical help. In the post on X, the family said Annie refuses conventional treatment, lashes out at family members, and “continues to demand more money from us.”

According to the family, Annie has mental health challenges, and relatives have tried to support her with financial and medical help. In the post on X, the family said Annie refuses conventional treatment, lashes out at family members, and “continues to demand more money from us.”

In the lawsuit, Annie claims the sexual abuse has caused her post-traumatic stress disorder, lost wages, and “a loss of enjoyment of a normal life.” The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Missouri, where the Altman children were raised, seeks damages of more than $75,000 and legal fees.&nbsp;

In the lawsuit, Annie claims the sexual abuse has caused her post-traumatic stress disorder, lost wages, and “a loss of enjoyment of a normal life.” The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Missouri, where the Altman children were raised, seeks damages of more than $75,000 and legal fees.&nbsp;

While this is the first time Annie has gone to court with her allegations, she <a href="https://x.com/anniealtman108/status/1459696444802142213">publicly accused</a> Sam and their brother Jack Altman, an entrepreneur and investor, of “sexual, physical, emotional, verbal, financial, and technological abuse” in 2021.&nbsp;

While this is the first time Annie has gone to court with her allegations, she <a href="https://x.com/anniealtman108/status/1459696444802142213">publicly accused</a> Sam and their brother Jack Altman, an entrepreneur and investor, of “sexual, physical, emotional, verbal, financial, and technological abuse” in 2021.&nbsp;

Co-founder and CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman poses for a portrait at the OpenAI offices in San Francisco following an interview for The San Francisco Standard’s podcast, Life in Seven Songs, on Monday, September 16, 2024.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240918_lisssamaltman-me-35.jpg?w=2500" alt="A person with light hair is sitting in front of a lush green plant, wearing a blue shirt under a darker green sweater, against a blurred indoor background." class="wp-image-333616"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In the post on X, members of the Altman family said they had no choice but to publicly address Annie&#8217;s legal action against Sam.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240918_lisssamaltman-me-35.jpg?w=2500" alt="A person with light hair is sitting in front of a lush green plant, wearing a blue shirt under a darker green sweater, against a blurred indoor background." class="wp-image-333616"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In the post on X, members of the Altman family said they had no choice but to publicly address Annie's legal action against Sam.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240918_lisssamaltman-me-35.jpg?w=2500" alt="A person with light hair is sitting in front of a lush green plant, wearing a blue shirt under a darker green sweater, against a blurred indoor background." class="wp-image-333616"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In the post on X, members of the Altman family said they had no choice but to publicly address Annie&#8217;s legal action against Sam.</figcaption></figure>

“I feel strongly that others have also been abused by these perpetrators,” Annie <a href="https://x.com/anniealtman108/status/1459696500540248068">wrote on X</a> at the time, asking for others to join her in pursuing legal justice. She posted again about the alleged abuse two years later, <a href="https://x.com/anniealtman108/status/1635704398939832321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1635704398939832321%7Ctwgr%5Ed9458db7745dbd921125192a8f78a0068dd89339%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themarysue.com%2Fannie-altmans-abuse-allegations-against-openais-sam-altman-highlight-the-need-to-prioritize-humanity-over-tech%2F">writing:</a> “I’m not four years old with a 13 year old ‘brother’ climbing into my bed non-consensually anymore.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I feel strongly that others have also been abused by these perpetrators,” Annie <a href="https://x.com/anniealtman108/status/1459696500540248068">wrote on X</a> at the time, asking for others to join her in pursuing legal justice. She posted again about the alleged abuse two years later, <a href="https://x.com/anniealtman108/status/1635704398939832321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1635704398939832321%7Ctwgr%5Ed9458db7745dbd921125192a8f78a0068dd89339%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themarysue.com%2Fannie-altmans-abuse-allegations-against-openais-sam-altman-highlight-the-need-to-prioritize-humanity-over-tech%2F">writing:</a> “I’m not four years old with a 13 year old ‘brother’ climbing into my bed non-consensually anymore.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Annie, who lives in Hawaii, graduated from Tufts University and has a website called <a href="https://www.allhumansarehuman.com/">All Humans Are Human</a>. The site is home to her projects, including The HumAnnie, an “interactive stand-up-comedy-philosophy-show-with-a-song, about how no one ever fully ‘figures out’ how to human”; a collection of <a href="https://www.allhumansarehuman.com/blog">blog posts</a>, including “An Open Letter to the EMDR Trauma Therapist Who Fired Me for Doing Sex Work”; and “Hey Sad Scared Tech Bros,” a parody of the 2005 hit song “Hey There Delihah” by Plain White T&#8217;s.&nbsp;

Annie, who lives in Hawaii, graduated from Tufts University and has a website called <a href="https://www.allhumansarehuman.com/">All Humans Are Human</a>. The site is home to her projects, including The HumAnnie, an “interactive stand-up-comedy-philosophy-show-with-a-song, about how no one ever fully ‘figures out’ how to human”; a collection of <a href="https://www.allhumansarehuman.com/blog">blog posts</a>, including “An Open Letter to the EMDR Trauma Therapist Who Fired Me for Doing Sex Work”; and “Hey Sad Scared Tech Bros,” a parody of the 2005 hit song “Hey There Delihah” by Plain White T's.&nbsp;

Annie, who lives in Hawaii, graduated from Tufts University and has a website called <a href="https://www.allhumansarehuman.com/">All Humans Are Human</a>. The site is home to her projects, including The HumAnnie, an “interactive stand-up-comedy-philosophy-show-with-a-song, about how no one ever fully ‘figures out’ how to human”; a collection of <a href="https://www.allhumansarehuman.com/blog">blog posts</a>, including “An Open Letter to the EMDR Trauma Therapist Who Fired Me for Doing Sex Work”; and “Hey Sad Scared Tech Bros,” a parody of the 2005 hit song “Hey There Delihah” by Plain White T&#8217;s.&nbsp;

Last year, Annie self-published a book called “<a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/annie-altman/humannie-grief-poems/paperback/product-gjve592.html?q=humannie+grief+poems&amp;page=1&amp;pageSize=4">HumAnnie Grief Poems</a>,” inspired by the seven stages of grief.&nbsp;

Last year, Annie self-published a book called “<a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/annie-altman/humannie-grief-poems/paperback/product-gjve592.html?q=humannie+grief+poems&amp;page=1&amp;pageSize=4">HumAnnie Grief Poems</a>,” inspired by the seven stages of grief.&nbsp;

In a 2023 <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/sam-altman-artificial-intelligence-openai-profile.html">profile of Sam Altman</a> in New York magazine, Annie said he had been her favorite brother and is probably autistic like her, but in a “computer-math way.”

In a 2023 <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/sam-altman-artificial-intelligence-openai-profile.html">profile of Sam Altman</a> in New York magazine, Annie said he had been her favorite brother and is probably autistic like her, but in a “computer-math way.”

“I’m more of the humanity, humanitarian, justice-y way,” she said.&nbsp;

“I’m more of the humanity, humanitarian, justice-y way,” she said.&nbsp;

The profile details a fraught relationship. Annie said a year after their father’s death in 2018, she asked Sam and their mother for financial help after quitting her job at a dispensary because of an injured Achilles tendon, but they refused.&nbsp;

The profile details a fraught relationship. Annie said a year after their father’s death in 2018, she asked Sam and their mother for financial help after quitting her job at a dispensary because of an injured Achilles tendon, but they refused.&nbsp;

“I was just at such a loss, in such a state of desperation, such a state of confusion and grief,” Annie <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/sam-altman-artificial-intelligence-openai-profile.html">told New York</a>.

“I was just at such a loss, in such a state of desperation, such a state of confusion and grief,” Annie <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/sam-altman-artificial-intelligence-openai-profile.html">told New York</a>.

In the X statement denying the claims in the lawsuit, the family says they have tried many ways to support Annie and help her find stability without enabling harmful behaviors.&nbsp;

In the X statement denying the claims in the lawsuit, the family says they have tried many ways to support Annie and help her find stability without enabling harmful behaviors.&nbsp;

“To give a sense of our efforts, we have given her monthly financial support, directly paid her bills, covered her rent, helped her find employment opportunities, attempted to get her medical help, and have offered to buy her a house through a trust (so that she would have a secure place to live, but not be able to sell it immediately),” the statement says. “Via our late father’s estate, Annie received monthly financial support, which we expect to continue for the rest of her life.”&nbsp;

“To give a sense of our efforts, we have given her monthly financial support, directly paid her bills, covered her rent, helped her find employment opportunities, attempted to get her medical help, and have offered to buy her a house through a trust (so that she would have a secure place to live, but not be able to sell it immediately),” the statement says. “Via our late father’s estate, Annie received monthly financial support, which we expect to continue for the rest of her life.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://x.com/anniealtman108/status/1801766599353061829">In a tweet</a> from last year, Annie said her father’s trust was withheld from her for six years, while she was “sick and houseless and starting sex work for survival.”

<a href="https://x.com/anniealtman108/status/1801766599353061829">In a tweet</a> from last year, Annie said her father’s trust was withheld from her for six years, while she was “sick and houseless and starting sex work for survival.”

Recently, Annie has reposted tweets by Poornima Ramarao, the mother of Suchir Balaji, the OpenAI whistleblower who was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in November.

Recently, Annie has reposted tweets by Poornima Ramarao, the mother of Suchir Balaji, the OpenAI whistleblower who was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in November.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/uos8286.jpg?w=2143" alt="Suchir Balaji stands in a concrete-walled space, illuminated by diagonal light and shadow patterns. He wears a black shirt, dark pants, and white sneakers." class="wp-image-351770"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Annie has retweeted posts from conspiracy theorists suggesting foul play in the death of Suchir Balaji, an OpenAI whistleblower.</figcaption></figure>

The posts <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/01/08/openai-whistleblowers-death-sparks-dark-conspiracy-theories/">nudge at conspiracy theories</a> claiming the 26-year-old died under suspicious circumstances, even though San Francisco authorities ruled the death a suicide and police said they found “no evidence of foul play.”&nbsp;

OpenAI whistleblower&#8217;s death sparks dark conspiracy theories

The posts <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/01/08/openai-whistleblowers-death-sparks-dark-conspiracy-theories/">nudge at conspiracy theories</a> claiming the 26-year-old died under suspicious circumstances, even though San Francisco authorities ruled the death a suicide and police said they found “no evidence of foul play.”&nbsp;

“#JusticeForSuchir” <a href="https://x.com/anniealtman108">Annie tweeted</a> in December, joining the software engineer’s family and a coalition of right-wing pundits <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/01/08/openai-whistleblowers-death-sparks-dark-conspiracy-theories/">who claim</a> Balaji was murdered at the behest of OpenAI and other artificial intelligence companies.&nbsp;

“#JusticeForSuchir” <a href="https://x.com/anniealtman108">Annie tweeted</a> in December, joining the software engineer’s family and a coalition of right-wing pundits <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/01/08/openai-whistleblowers-death-sparks-dark-conspiracy-theories/">who claim</a> Balaji was murdered at the behest of OpenAI and other artificial intelligence companies.&nbsp;

The Altman family’s X post denying Annie’s claims has become a magnet for additional conspiracy theories around Balaji’s death.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Altman family’s X post denying Annie’s claims has become a magnet for additional conspiracy theories around Balaji’s death.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sam Altman denies sexual abuse claims in his sister’s lawsuit

Matt O'Brien

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is looking to fuse its artificial intelligence systems into the bodies of&nbsp;humanoid robots&nbsp;as part of a new deal with robotics startup Figure.

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is looking to fuse its artificial intelligence systems into the bodies of&nbsp;humanoid robots&nbsp;as part of a new deal with robotics startup Figure.

Sunnyvale-based Figure announced the partnership Thursday along with $675 million in venture capital funding from a group that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as well as Microsoft, chipmaker Nvidia and the startup-funding divisions of Amazon, Intel and OpenAI.

Sunnyvale-based Figure announced the partnership Thursday along with $675 million in venture capital funding from a group that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as well as Microsoft, chipmaker Nvidia and the startup-funding divisions of Amazon, Intel and OpenAI.

Figure is less than 2 years old and doesn&#8217;t have a commercial product but is persuading influential tech industry backers to support its vision of shipping billions of human-like robots to the world&#8217;s workplaces and homes.

Figure is less than 2 years old and doesn't have a commercial product but is persuading influential tech industry backers to support its vision of shipping billions of human-like robots to the world's workplaces and homes.

Figure is less than 2 years old and doesn&#8217;t have a commercial product but is persuading influential tech industry backers to support its vision of shipping billions of human-like robots to the world&#8217;s workplaces and homes.

“If we can just get humanoids to do work that humans are not wanting to do because there’s a shortfall of humans, we can sell millions of humanoids, billions maybe,” Figure CEO Brett Adcock told The Associated Press last year.

“If we can just get humanoids to do work that humans are not wanting to do because there’s a shortfall of humans, we can sell millions of humanoids, billions maybe,” Figure CEO Brett Adcock told The Associated Press last year.

OpenAI CEO warns artificial intelligence could go ‘horribly wrong’

sf-standard/related-post

sf-standard/related-posts-container

For OpenAI, which dabbled in robotics research before pivoting to a focus on the AI large language models that power ChatGPT, the partnership will &#8220;open up new possibilities for how robots can help in everyday life,” said Peter Welinder, the San Francisco company&#8217;s vice president of product and partnerships, in a written statement.

For OpenAI, which dabbled in robotics research before pivoting to a focus on the AI large language models that power ChatGPT, the partnership will "open up new possibilities for how robots can help in everyday life,” said Peter Welinder, the San Francisco company's vice president of product and partnerships, in a written statement.

For OpenAI, which dabbled in robotics research before pivoting to a focus on the AI large language models that power ChatGPT, the partnership will &#8220;open up new possibilities for how robots can help in everyday life,” said Peter Welinder, the San Francisco company&#8217;s vice president of product and partnerships, in a written statement.

The financial terms of the deal between Figure and OpenAI weren&#8217;t disclosed. The collaboration will have OpenAI building specialized AI models for Figure’s humanoid robots, likely based on OpenAI&#8217;s existing technology such as GPT language models, the image-generator DALL-E and the new video-generator Sora.

The financial terms of the deal between Figure and OpenAI weren't disclosed. The collaboration will have OpenAI building specialized AI models for Figure’s humanoid robots, likely based on OpenAI's existing technology such as GPT language models, the image-generator DALL-E and the new video-generator Sora.

The financial terms of the deal between Figure and OpenAI weren&#8217;t disclosed. The collaboration will have OpenAI building specialized AI models for Figure’s humanoid robots, likely based on OpenAI&#8217;s existing technology such as GPT language models, the image-generator DALL-E and the new video-generator Sora.

That will help “accelerate Figure’s commercial timeline” by enabling its robots to “process and reason from language,” according to Figure&#8217;s announcement. The company announced in January an agreement with BMW to put its robots to work at a car plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, but hadn&#8217;t yet determined exactly how or when they would be used.

That will help “accelerate Figure’s commercial timeline” by enabling its robots to “process and reason from language,” according to Figure's announcement. The company announced in January an agreement with BMW to put its robots to work at a car plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, but hadn't yet determined exactly how or when they would be used.

That will help “accelerate Figure’s commercial timeline” by enabling its robots to “process and reason from language,” according to Figure&#8217;s announcement. The company announced in January an agreement with BMW to put its robots to work at a car plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, but hadn&#8217;t yet determined exactly how or when they would be used.

Robotics experts differ on the usefulness of robots shaped in human form. Most robots employed in factory and warehouse tasks might have some animal-like features—a robotic arm, finger-like grippers or even legs—but aren&#8217;t truly humanoid. That&#8217;s in part because it&#8217;s taken decades for robotics engineers to develop effective robotic legs and arms.

Robotics experts differ on the usefulness of robots shaped in human form. Most robots employed in factory and warehouse tasks might have some animal-like features—a robotic arm, finger-like grippers or even legs—but aren't truly humanoid. That's in part because it's taken decades for robotics engineers to develop effective robotic legs and arms.

Robotics experts differ on the usefulness of robots shaped in human form. Most robots employed in factory and warehouse tasks might have some animal-like features—a robotic arm, finger-like grippers or even legs—but aren&#8217;t truly humanoid. That&#8217;s in part because it&#8217;s taken decades for robotics engineers to develop effective robotic legs and arms.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hinted at a renewed interest in robotics in a podcast hosted by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and released early this year in which Altman said the company was starting to invest in promising robotics hardware platforms after having earlier abandoned its own research.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hinted at a renewed interest in robotics in a podcast hosted by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and released early this year in which Altman said the company was starting to invest in promising robotics hardware platforms after having earlier abandoned its own research.

“We started robots too early and so we had to put that project on hold,&#8221; Altman told Gates, noting that “we were dealing with bad simulators and breaking tendons&#8221; that were distracting from the company&#8217;s other work.

“We started robots too early and so we had to put that project on hold," Altman told Gates, noting that “we were dealing with bad simulators and breaking tendons" that were distracting from the company's other work.

“We started robots too early and so we had to put that project on hold,&#8221; Altman told Gates, noting that “we were dealing with bad simulators and breaking tendons&#8221; that were distracting from the company&#8217;s other work.

“We realized more and more over time that what we really first needed was intelligence and cognition and then we could figure out how we could adapt it to physicality,” he said.

“We realized more and more over time that what we really first needed was intelligence and cognition and then we could figure out how we could adapt it to physicality,” he said.

Humanoid robot-maker Figure partners with OpenAI and gets backing from Jeff Bezos

Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez

OpenAI’s revenue <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/technology/openai-chatgpt-investors-funding.html">has almost tripled</a> over the last year. Its valuation is ballooning by billions.&nbsp;

OpenAI’s revenue <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/technology/openai-chatgpt-investors-funding.html">has almost tripled</a> over the last year. Its valuation is ballooning by billions.&nbsp;

At the same time, it repeatedly lobbied the city for a tax break, records reviewed by The Standard show. Mayor London Breed’s administration didn’t give the company what it wanted.

At the same time, it repeatedly lobbied the city for a tax break, records reviewed by The Standard show. Mayor London Breed’s administration didn’t give the company what it wanted.

That was then. Now, it doesn’t take advanced artificial intelligence to compute the golden opportunity gift-wrapped for OpenAI by San Francisco’s mayor-elect.

That was then. Now, it doesn’t take advanced artificial intelligence to compute the golden opportunity gift-wrapped for OpenAI by San Francisco’s mayor-elect.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is the star addition to Daniel Lurie’s transition team, even as his company lobbies the city to tweak its taxes. OpenAI’s lobbyist, longtime City Hall insider Alex Tourk, is still on the payroll.&nbsp;

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is the star addition to Daniel Lurie’s transition team, even as his company lobbies the city to tweak its taxes. OpenAI’s lobbyist, longtime City Hall insider Alex Tourk, is still on the payroll.&nbsp;

Altman will not only have Lurie’s ear on policy issues germane to San Francisco and its business climate, but the arrangement puts him in a position to recommend mayoral staffers who may agree to a more tech-friendly tax environment.&nbsp;

Altman will not only have Lurie’s ear on policy issues germane to San Francisco and its business climate, but the arrangement puts him in a position to recommend mayoral staffers who may agree to a more tech-friendly tax environment.&nbsp;

Breed said no to Altman’s company. Will Lurie?&nbsp;

Breed said no to Altman’s company. Will Lurie?&nbsp;

Sam Altman tapped for Lurie’s transition team

Photos: The charmed life of Daniel Lurie, San Francisco’s new mayor

“We have not discussed any tax breaks,” Lurie told The Standard in an interview Tuesday. “We talked about their investment in arts and culture, investing in the city. He’s all in on our city, just like every co-chair on the transition team.”

“We have not discussed any tax breaks,” Lurie told The Standard in an interview Tuesday. “We talked about their investment in arts and culture, investing in the city. He’s all in on our city, just like every co-chair on the transition team.”

Former San Francisco Ethics Commission president Paul Melbostad said Altman’s presence in Lurie’s transition team is a red flag.&nbsp;

Former San Francisco Ethics Commission president Paul Melbostad said Altman’s presence in Lurie’s transition team is a red flag.&nbsp;

“I think it would be wise not to include him on the transition team if the company is currently lobbying for a tax break,” Melbostad said. “It creates an appearance of undue influence and special access, even if Mayor Lurie and Sam Altman have the best of intentions.”

“I think it would be wise not to include him on the transition team if the company is currently lobbying for a tax break,” Melbostad said. “It creates an appearance of undue influence and special access, even if Mayor Lurie and Sam Altman have the best of intentions.”

OpenAI is a San Francisco darling. Artificial intelligence is one of the few glimmering stars in the city’s otherwise dim economic outlook, and OpenAI signed a lease for 350,000 square feet in the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/09/20/open-ai-expands-in-mission-bay/">former Old Navy site in September</a>. That brings the company&#8217;s office presence in San Francisco to nearly 1 million square feet, a sorely needed anchor as businesses exit the city.

With SF&#8217;s biggest lease of the year, OpenAI now occupies nearly 1 million square feet

OpenAI is a San Francisco darling. Artificial intelligence is one of the few glimmering stars in the city’s otherwise dim economic outlook, and OpenAI signed a lease for 350,000 square feet in the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/09/20/open-ai-expands-in-mission-bay/">former Old Navy site in September</a>. That brings the company's office presence in San Francisco to nearly 1 million square feet, a sorely needed anchor as businesses exit the city.

OpenAI is a San Francisco darling. Artificial intelligence is one of the few glimmering stars in the city’s otherwise dim economic outlook, and OpenAI signed a lease for 350,000 square feet in the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/09/20/open-ai-expands-in-mission-bay/">former Old Navy site in September</a>. That brings the company&#8217;s office presence in San Francisco to nearly 1 million square feet, a sorely needed anchor as businesses exit the city.

That star power didn’t bring OpenAI a sweeter tax deal, however.&nbsp;

That star power didn’t bring OpenAI a sweeter tax deal, however.&nbsp;

Instead, voters may take more blood from OpenAI and similar companies with the approval of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/31/sf-election-2024-prop-m/">Proposition M</a>. The measure reforms business taxes to lessen the burden on the city’s largest and smallest companies, in hopes of stimulating the economy.&nbsp;But someone’s got to make up the lost revenue: Midsize companies, which may pay more under Prop. M. The overhaul may also reduce how much taxes are calculated on business payrolls, and weigh them far more toward sales.

Instead, voters may take more blood from OpenAI and similar companies with the approval of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/31/sf-election-2024-prop-m/">Proposition M</a>. The measure reforms business taxes to lessen the burden on the city’s largest and smallest companies, in hopes of stimulating the economy.&nbsp;But someone’s got to make up the lost revenue: Midsize companies, which may pay more under Prop. M. The overhaul may also reduce how much taxes are calculated on business payrolls, and weigh them far more toward sales.

OpenAI whistleblower’s death sparks dark conspiracy theories

Sam Altman denies sexual abuse claims in his sister’s lawsuit

Humanoid robot-maker Figure partners with OpenAI and gets backing from Jeff Bezos

OpenAI’s Altman is lobbying City Hall — and advising its new boss

Opinion: Marc Andreessen just wants you to think DeepSeek is a Sputnik moment

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OpenAI whistleblower’s death sparks dark conspiracy theories

Sam Altman denies sexual abuse claims in his sister’s lawsuit

Humanoid robot-maker Figure partners with OpenAI and gets backing from Jeff Bezos

OpenAI’s Altman is lobbying City Hall — and advising its new boss

Opinion: Marc Andreessen just wants you to think DeepSeek is a Sputnik moment