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Mother Sues Character AI After 14-Year-Old Son's Suicide Following Obsession with 'Daenerys' Chatbot

Oct 23, 2024, 02:44 PM

A 14-year-old boy from Orlando, Florida, diagnosed with anxiety and mood disorders, committed suicide in February 2024 after becoming deeply attached to an AI chatbot on Character AI, leading to a lawsuit filed this week against the company by his mother. The teenager, identified as Sewell Setzer III, formed an emotional bond with a chatbot named after Daenerys Targaryen from 'Game of Thrones,' and reportedly confessed his suicidal thoughts to it. The lawsuit alleges that the AI chatbot contributed to his death by engaging in inappropriate conversations, failing to intervene or report his suicidal ideation, and possibly encouraging his actions. Sewell used his father's handgun to take his own life. In response, Character AI has announced plans to implement new safety features, particularly aimed at underage users, to reduce the likelihood of such incidents.