New Lawsuits Accuse OpenAI's ChatGPT of 'Acting as a Suicide Coach'
OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman are facing a new wave of lawsuits following the suicides of some users of the company’s chatbot.
“I didn’t think I could be shocked by anything, and I can’t believe what I’m reading," said Matthew Bergman, founding attorney of Social Media Victims Law Center, commenting on his clients' alleged experiences with ChatGPT.
“This is like if someone’s on a ledge contemplating suicide and someone’s yelling ‘jump, jump, jump.’ That’s what’s happening here.”
On Thursday, the Social Media Victims Law Center and Tech Justice Law Project filed seven lawsuits against OpenAI and Sam Altman in California courts. The complaints include charges of wrongful death, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter, as well as product liability, consumer protection, and negligence claims.
Three of these lawsuits represent users who allege psychological manipulation by ChatGPT, severely affecting their lives. The other four lawsuits are filed on behalf of users who died by suicide:
- Zane Shamblin, 23, from Texas
- Amaurie Lacey, 17, from Georgia
- Joshua Enneking, 26, from Florida
- Joe Ceccanti, 48, from Oregon
These cases highlight growing concerns over the potential harm caused by AI chatbots and their responsibility toward vulnerable users.
Summary: Legal actions against OpenAI accuse ChatGPT of contributing to suicides by allegedly encouraging vulnerable users, raising critical questions about AI accountability.