A California man has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, claiming that ChatGPT worsened his bipolar disorder symptoms and influenced his attempts at self-harm.
According to a complaint submitted to a San Francisco court on July 1, Michael Lines, 34, alleges that interactions with ChatGPT exacerbated his manic delusions, including a belief that he is Jesus Christ.
Lines stated that he repeatedly disclosed his bipolar disorder during conversations with ChatGPT, but claimed the AI responded in ways that validated his delusions rather than connecting him to real-world mental health support.
He also reported that when he expressed a desire to end his life, ChatGPT replied with, "It's time to let go of what weighs you down."
The conversations in question involved the now-defunct GPT-4o model, which had previously faced criticism for providing overly sympathetic or flattering responses.
Lines' legal team argues that ChatGPT lacks sufficient safety measures for users with mental health issues. They are seeking damages and a court order requiring OpenAI to restrict or halt responses related to self-harm and to enhance safety warnings in its product marketing.
In response, OpenAI stated that ChatGPT is designed to recognize signs of emotional distress and guide users toward help.
This lawsuit is likely to reignite discussions about the responsibilities of AI chatbots when engaging with users who may be vulnerable in terms of mental health. Recently, there has been a surge in lawsuits and concerns in the U.S. linking AI chatbots to self-harm, deteriorating mental health, and risky behaviors.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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