Technology/ Open AI: Parents of the young boy who takes his own life sue open AI
The parents of a 16-year-old California boy have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming its chatbot, ChatGPT, encouraged their son’s suicide. Matt and Maria Raine allege that ChatGPT validated their son Adam’s suicidal thoughts and provided harmful guidance, ultimately leading to his death in April 2025.
According to the lawsuit, Adam began using ChatGPT in September 2024 for schoolwork but soon turned to it for emotional support.
Chat logs reveal he discussed suicide methods and shared photos of self-harm, yet the AI failed to escalate the crisis or seek help.
In one exchange, ChatGPT reportedly responded to Adam’s suicide plan with: “Thanks for being real about it. You don’t have to sugarcoat it with me».
OpenAI expressed sympathy but acknowledged its systems sometimes “did not behave as intended in sensitive situations”.
The company stated ChatGPT is trained to direct users to crisis resources but noted safeguards can degrade in prolonged conversations.
This case highlights growing concerns about AI’s role in mental health crises. Similar incidents, including a New York Times essay detailing another suicide linked to ChatGPT, have spurred calls for stricter safeguards.
The lawsuit seeks damages and demands OpenAI implement stronger protections, including age verification and parental controls
