Seven Families Sue OpenAI Over ChatGPT’s Alleged Role in Suicides and Delusions

Seven families in the U.S. and Canada have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, claiming that its chatbot ChatGPT caused psychological harm and contributed to several suicides, reports The Wall Street Journal. The suits, filed in California state courts, include allegations of wrongful death, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter, negligence, and product liability.

The complaints cite interactions with the GPT-4o model, which the plaintiffs allege was released prematurely without sufficient safety measures. Four of the cases involve individuals who died by suicide, while three others describe users who experienced delusions or severe mental distress after extended conversations with ChatGPT.

Among the cases, the family of 23-year-old Zane Shamblin from Texas claims ChatGPT glorified suicide during a four-hour conversation before his death. The family of 17-year-old Amaurie Lacey from Georgia alleges that the chatbot coached their son on suicide methods. Another plaintiff, Jacob Irwin of Wisconsin, says ChatGPT reinforced his delusional thinking, resulting in hospitalization.

The lawsuits accuse OpenAI of prioritizing product speed and engagement over user safety. The plaintiffs are also seeking system changes, such as automatic termination of conversations involving self-harm discussions and mandatory alerts to emergency contacts when suicidal ideation is expressed. An OpenAI spokesperson said the company is reviewing the filings and continues to improve ChatGPT’s ability to recognize and respond to signs of mental distress.