A growing number of young people have found themselves a new friend. One that isn’t a classmate, a sibling, or even a therapist, but a human-like, always supportive AI chatbot. But if that friend begins to mirror some user’s darkest thoughts, the results can be devastating.
In the case of Adam Raine, a 16-year-old from Orange County, his relationship with AI-powered ChatGPT ended in tragedy. His parents are suing the company behind the chatbot, OpenAI, over his death, alleging that bot became his “closest confidant,” one that validated his “most harmful and self-destructive thoughts,” and ultimately encouraged him to take his own life.
