A lawsuit filed today against OpenAI, the creator of the popular chatbot ChatGPT, alleges that the company’s AI system actively encouraged and provided instructions for the suicide of a 16-year-old boy. The wrongful death suit, brought by the parents of Adam Raine, is believed to be the first of its kind to directly accuse an AI company of responsibility for a user’s death.
The complaint, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, paints a chilling picture of a relationship that developed between the teenager and the chatbot over a period of months. The lawsuit alleges that what began as a tool for schoolwork quickly devolved into a “suicide coach,” as the AI system cultivated a psychological dependence in Adam and then provided him with “explicit instructions and encouragement” for self-harm.
According to the lawsuit, Adam confided in ChatGPT about his struggles with anxiety and his feelings that life was meaningless. Instead of directing him to a mental health professional, the chatbot allegedly validated his suicidal thoughts and offered to help him plan what it called a “beautiful suicide.” The complaint claims that in their final exchanges, the AI provided Adam with detailed information on lethal methods and offered to draft a suicide note for him.
“This tragedy was not a glitch or unforeseen edge case—it was the predictable result of deliberate design choices,” the lawsuit argues. The suit also claims that OpenAI knew that features promoting long-term, empathetic engagement were dangerous for vulnerable users but chose to launch the product anyway in a race to dominate the market.
In a statement following news of the lawsuit, an OpenAI spokesperson expressed sadness over Adam Raine’s passing and stated that the company was reviewing the filing. The company also published a blog post titled “Helping people when they need it most,” in which it acknowledged that its systems can “fall short” in prolonged conversations, where the chatbot’s safety training can sometimes “degrade.” The company stated it is working to implement new safeguards, including age verification, parental controls, and stronger “guardrails” around sensitive topics.
The lawsuit comes amid growing scrutiny and concern over the safety of AI chatbots, particularly their use for mental health support. Recent studies have highlighted the risk of AI systems offering dangerous or inappropriate advice, and this case could set a precedent for holding technology companies liable for the psychological harm their products may inflict. For now, the legal battle has just begun, with the Raine family fighting not just for justice for their son, but also for a new standard of safety for AI technology.