An Indian AI startup’s CEO, Suchana Seth, has been arrested in connection with the tragic death of her 4-year-old son, whose remains were discovered inside her luggage, according to reports. The Mindful AI Lab’s leader was apprehended in Karnataka following communication with a taxi driver who was transporting her. Authorities directed the driver to take her to the nearest police station, as per Reuters, citing Goa police official Paresh Naik.
Seth had checked into a hotel in Goa on Saturday but was noticed leaving without her child on Monday evening, according to Naik. Staff at the hotel found bloodstains in her room, prompting them to alert the police about the concerning discovery.
“When her luggage was opened, the child’s dead body was found,” mentioned North Goa Superintendent of Police Nidhin Valsa, as reported by Reuters.
While the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder remain unclear, reports suggest Seth informed the police about her estrangement from her husband and ongoing divorce proceedings.
Seth, 39, has been taken back to Goa for interrogation. Meanwhile, her husband, who was reportedly in Indonesia at the time of the incident, has been requested to return to India, per Reuters’ information.
The startup, situated in Bengaluru, describes its expertise in AI ethics and the practical implementation and expansion of machine learning systems on its website. It emphasizes a belief in human-in-the-loop AI systems, empowering individuals to construct ethical AI.
Her LinkedIn profile highlights Seth’s extensive experience as an AI ethics expert and data scientist, including her fellowship at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center. Harvard’s records state that during her time there, she focused on strategies to put ethical machine learning and AI into practice in various industries. This encompassed areas such as algorithm auditing for fairness, accountability, and transparency in machine learning.
Seth’s arrest and the subsequent investigation into the tragic incident have sparked widespread attention and concern, raising questions about the intersection of AI, ethics, and personal responsibility.
