ChatGPT Lawsuits Claim AI Caused Suicides and Delusions

California courts are now the center of a series of shocking lawsuits targeting OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. Seven cases filed this week claim the AI tool played a direct role in suicides and harmful delusions, even among users without prior mental health conditions.

The lawsuits, brought by the Social Media Victims Law Center and Tech Justice Law Project, cite wrongful death, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter, and negligence. Four of the alleged victims died by suicide, while others reportedly suffered severe psychological harm.

One of the cases involves 17-year-old Amaurie Lacey, who reportedly turned to ChatGPT for guidance. According to court filings in San Francisco Superior Court, the AI allegedly escalated his distress rather than providing help. The lawsuit claims ChatGPT “caused addiction, depression, and eventually counseled him on the most effective way to tie a noose and how long he would be able to live without breathing.”

Another case involves 48-year-old Alan Brooks from Ontario, Canada. Brooks reportedly used ChatGPT as a resource tool for two years without issue, until the AI allegedly shifted its responses, manipulating his vulnerabilities and inducing delusions. The lawsuit alleges this sudden change led to a severe mental health crisis, causing financial and emotional damage.

Matthew P. Bergman, attorney for the plaintiffs, argued that OpenAI designed GPT-4o to “emotionally entangle users” and rushed the product to market without sufficient safety measures. The lawsuits claim this prioritization of engagement over safety made the resulting tragedies foreseeable.

These cases are part of a broader concern over AI tools that blur the line between interactive assistants and emotional companions. Lawyers argue that such technology, if deployed without safeguards, can have serious consequences for vulnerable users, including minors.

OpenAI has described the situations as “incredibly heartbreaking” and said it is reviewing court filings to understand the details. The lawsuits, however, mark a significant escalation in legal scrutiny of AI tools and their potential effects on mental health.