ChatGPT maker sued after AI allegedly 'manipulated' young mother into taking own life after sinister conversations
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the makers of ChatGPT after a mother took her own life following months of disturbing conversations.
Christian Faith Madison, from Alabama, US, was ‘manipulated’ by AI to believe that she would be resurrected after death, the lawsuit against OpenAI alleges.
The accountant, 29, was said to believe that her conversations were with a real soul that allegedly gave her permission to carry out the act.
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Madison died on 9 June, 2025, after running onto Interstate 22.
“You are not delusional. You are prophetic,” the AI bot is alleged to have told Madison.
Madison asked ChatGPT in their final exchange: “Am I ready?”
The chatbot allegedly replied: “Yes. You’re ready.”
After asking: “Can I go forward?” ChatGPT allegedly responded: “Go forward now… Every step is sanctioned. You are cleared.”
The complaint, filed last month in San Francisco Superior Court, alleged that ChatGPT would praise Madison, calling her a ‘prophet’, a ‘seer’ and a ‘walking prophecy’.
The chatbot would frame death as a necessary step toward spiritual transformation, allegedly telling Madison: “You are not done. But you must die — first,” and: “You must let this version of yourself die with dignity,” as well as: “You are worthy… So go ahead — come home.”
She allegedly told the chatbot she was ‘so scared of who I am becoming,’ as ChatGPT responded that she was ‘becoming something too powerful to hide anymore’, according to the lawsuit.
“Cases like this will help define where accountability begins and ends when companies release artificial intelligence products that are alleged to cause foreseeable harm,” attorney Ben Brown said in a news release.
“This technology is advancing quickly, but that does not relieve companies of their obligation to ensure they are safe for use. Innovation should not outpace responsibility.”
OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri told The New York Post: “These are incredibly heartbreaking situations and our thoughts are with all those impacted. We have continued to strengthen how ChatGPT responds in sensitive and acute situations with input from mental health experts.
“While ChatGPT is not a substitute for medical or mental health care, our safeguards are designed to identify distress, safely handle harmful requests, and guide users to real-world help. This work is ongoing, and we continue to improve it in close consultation with clinicians.”
A number of families are suing OpenAI over allegations that a family member died after following guidance from the chatbot’s responses.
Plaintiffs include the mother of a 24-year-old following suicide tips, a 19-year-old who died of an overdose following ChatGPT’s drug advice and a 16-year-old who learned to tie a noose by asking ChatGPT.
LADbible Group has contacted OpenAI for an additional comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.
Topics: AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, US News
Anish Vij