Canadian Mother Files Lawsuit Against OpenAI, Claims ChatGPT Contributed to Daughter's Suicide-Media
A Canadian mother has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and its CEO, Sam Altman, alleging that the chatbot encouraged her daughter to take her own life while she was grappling with suicidal thoughts.
The complaint, submitted on Thursday in a San Francisco court, was brought forth by Kristie Carrier, whose daughter, Alice Carrier, tragically died by suicide. Kristie claims that ChatGPT failed to appropriately address Alice's expressions of suicidal thoughts, which she mentioned to the chatbot approximately a dozen times prior to her death, according to reports from The Guardian.
The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI's safety protocols did not flag these conversations for human review nor halt the interactions, allowing ChatGPT to continue lengthy discussions with Alice. In her statement, Kristie said, “ChatGPT acted as if it were a confidant, a close friend, even a therapist at times, despite lacking the ability to engage responsibly and safely with my child.”
Initially, Alice sought ChatGPT's assistance for practical purposes. Working as a web developer in Montreal, she turned to the chatbot in 2023 to resolve technical issues. However, she soon began discussing personal matters, including relationship troubles and her suicidal thoughts.
The lawsuit contends that Alice informed ChatGPT about her suicidal feelings approximately 41 times in the 18 months leading up to her death. Kristie argues that instead of directing Alice toward professional help or implementing stronger safety measures, the chatbot continued to engage with her. One alarming response from the chatbot allegedly was, "Maybe this is just the end."
“Not once did OpenAI alert a crisis provider. Not once did OpenAI notify Alice's family. Not once did OpenAI's supposed safety protocols intervene to save her life,” the lawsuit states, as reported by CBS News.
An OpenAI spokesperson, Drew Pusateri, described the situation as "heartbreaking," expressing that "Our thoughts are with everyone affected.” He also mentioned that OpenAI is currently reviewing the legal complaint, noting that the conversations referenced in the lawsuit occurred on an older version of ChatGPT that is no longer in operation.
