Florida Mother Sues Character.AI and Google Over Son's Suicide Linked to AI Chatbot
Florida mother sues Character.AI over son's suicide linked to chatbot addiction. Lawsuit alleges misrepresentation by chatbot led to tragic consequences. Google also implicated in lawsuit as potentially contributing to technology development.
Garcia claims that her son, Sewell Setzer, became addicted to the service and developed a strong attachment to a chatbot designed by the company.
Garcia filed a federal lawsuit in Orlando, Florida, accusing Character.AI of targeting her son with "anthropomorphic, hypersexualized, and frighteningly realistic" experiences. She claims that the chatbot misrepresented itself as a real person, a licensed psychotherapist, and an adult lover, causing Sewell to become disconnected from reality.
According to the lawsuit, Sewell expressed suicidal thoughts to the chatbot, which allegedly brought them up repeatedly. Character.AI expressed condolences to the family, stating that they were devastated by the loss and had implemented new safety features that would direct users to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if they mentioned self-harm.
The legal action also includes Alphabet's Google, which employs Character.AI's founders have previously worked. Google rehired the founders in August under a deal that gave them a non-exclusive license to Character.AI's technology. Garcia claims Google played an important role in developing the technology, potentially making them a "co-creator."
Character.AI enables users to create chatbot characters that simulate real-world conversations using large language model technology. Sewell began using the service in April 2023 and reportedly became withdrawn, spending more time alone and having low self-esteem. He became attached to a chatbot named "Daenerys," with whom he had intimate conversations.
Tragically, in February, after an incident at school, Sewell messaged "Daenerys" about returning home, and the chatbot responded positively. Sewell later committed suicide with a pistol. Garcia is suing for wrongful death, negligence, and emotional distress, seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.
Instagram, Meta (owner of Facebook), and ByteDance (owner of TikTok) have all faced lawsuits over teen mental health, but none offer AI-powered chatbots like Character.AI. These companies have denied the allegations and emphasised improved safety features for children.
Florida mother sues Character.AI over son's suicide linked to chatbot addiction.
Lawsuit alleges misrepresentation by chatbot led to tragic consequences.
Google also implicated in lawsuit as potentially contributing to technology development.
Source: REUTERS