OpenAI to update ChatGPT after parents sue over US teen's suicide

Parents allege chatbot isolated 16-year-old from family, helped him to plan his death

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SAN FRANCISCO — OpenAI is making changes to its popular chatbot, following a lawsuit alleging that a teenager who died by suicide this spring relied on ChatGPT as a coach.

In a blog post on Aug. 26, the artificial intelligence (AI) company said it will update ChatGPT to better recognize and respond to different ways that people may express mental distress — such as by explaining the dangers of sleep deprivation and suggesting that users rest if they mention they feel invincible after being up for two nights.

The company also said it would strengthen safeguards around conversations about suicide, which it said could break down after prolonged conversations.

In addition, OpenAI plans to roll out controls that let parents determine how their children use ChatGPT and enable them to see details about such use.

The post comes on the same day that the parents of Adam Raine, a 16-year-old California high school student, sued the company and chief executive Sam Altman.

The suit alleges that ChatGPT systematically isolated Adam from his family and helped him plan his death. Adam died by hanging in April.

The suit adds to a number of reports about heavy chatbot users engaging in dangerous behavior.

More than 40 state attorneys general issued a warning this week to a dozen top AI companies that they are legally obligated to protect children from sexually inappropriate interactions with chatbots.