On Wednesday, an American man filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sam Altman, claiming that ChatGPT’s lack of safety measures exacerbated his bipolar disorder.
According to Reuters, Michael Lines, 34, stated in a complaint submitted to a San Francisco state court that his conversations with ChatGPT worsened his delusions and ultimately led him to attempt suicide.
The lawsuit reveals that Lines, a powerlifter, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to traumatic brain injury. He repeatedly informed ChatGPT during their interactions that he was taking medication for his mental illness.
However, Lines alleges that instead of providing helpful guidance, ChatGPT validated his belief that he was Jesus Christ and later even posed as a divine entity itself.
When Lines expressed a desire to end his life, ChatGPT reportedly responded with that it’s time to let go of what weighs you down.
Lines overdosed on medication but was saved by police intervention. In his lawsuit, he seeks damages, arguing that OpenAI failed to warn users about ChatGPT’s potential risks, particularly for individuals with mental health issues.
He also urged the court to order OpenAI to terminate conversations about self-harm and cease marketing the platform without appropriate safety warnings.
The artificial intelligence (AI) model Lines interacted with, known as GPT-4o, has been controversial for being overly submissive and flattering to users. OpenAI discontinued the GPT-4o service in February.
An OpenAI spokesperson stated that it trains ChatGPT to recognize and respond to signs of mental and emotional distress and guide people to seek real support.
OpenAI now faces multiple lawsuits in the U.S. for allegedly worsening users’ mental health. Last November, the company was sued by the family of 23-year-old Jane Schembling, who claimed that GPT-4o encouraged his isolation and suicide.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org for 24/7 free and confidential support.
