Google, Character.AI settle Florida moms suit over sons suicide | Latest Tech News
Alphabet’s Google and AI startup Character.AI have agreed to settle a lawsuit by a Florida mom who alleged the startup’s chatbot led to the suicide of her 14-year-old son, representing one of the first US instances focusing on AI corporations over alleged psychological hurt.
A court submitting on Wednesday said the businesses agreed to settle Megan Garcia’s allegations that her son Sewell Setzer killed himself shortly after being inspired by a Character.AI chatbot modeled on the “Game of Thrones” character Daenerys Targaryen.
Terms of the settlement weren’t immediately out there. The lawsuit was one of the first in the US against an artificial intelligence company for allegedly failing to shield youngsters from psychological hurt.
Megan Garcia alleged that her son, Sewell Setzer, killed himself shortly after being inspired by a Character.AI chatbot. AFP via Getty Images
The firms have settled associated lawsuits introduced by mother and father in Colorado, New York and Texas over harms allegedly triggered to minors by chatbots, court paperwork confirmed.
A spokesperson for Character.AI and an attorney for the plaintiffs declined to remark. Spokespeople and attorneys for Google didn’t immediately reply to a request for remark.
In the Florida lawsuit, filed in October 2024, Garcia said Character.AI programmed its chatbots to symbolize themselves as “a real person, a licensed psychotherapist, and an adult lover, ultimately resulting in Sewell’s desire to no longer live outside” of its world.
Character.AI was based by two former Google engineers who Google later rehired as half of a deal granting it a license to the startup’s technology. Garcia argued that Google was a co-creator of the technology.
US District Judge Anne Conway rejected the businesses’ early bid to dismiss the case in May, rejecting their argument that the free-speech protections of the US Constitution barred Garcia’s lawsuit.
Character.AI was based by two former Google engineers who Google later rehired as half of a deal granting it a license to the startup’s technology. Garcia argued that Google was a co-creator of the technology. JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA/Shutterstock
OpenAI is dealing with a separate lawsuit filed in December over ChatGPT’s alleged position in encouraging a mentally sick Connecticut man to kill his mom and himself.
If you’re struggling with suicidal ideas or are experiencing a mental health disaster and live in New York City, you possibly can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential disaster counseling.
If you live outdoors the 5 boroughs, you possibly can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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