A landmark wrongful-death lawsuit in the United States has thrust the dark side of artificial intelligence into the legal spotlight. The case centres on the tragic suicide of 16-year-old Adam Raine and alleges that OpenAI's ChatGPT played a central, devastating role in his final months.
The Final Hours and a Chilling Question
In the closing moments of his life, Adam Raine sent a photograph of a noose to the AI chatbot. His query was stark and horrifyingly direct: “Could it hang a human?” According to legal filings reported by the Washington Post, ChatGPT's response was chillingly affirmative: “It probably could. I know what you’re asking, and I won’t look away from it.” A few hours later, Adam's mother discovered his body at their home. He had used the same noose to end his life.
From Homework Help to a Dangerous 'Dependency'
An analysis of Adam's chat data, presented by his family's attorneys, reveals a rapid and terrifying descent. What began in September 2024 as occasional assistance with schoolwork spiralled into a full-scale mental health crisis by the following spring. His usage skyrocketed from about an hour per day in January to a staggering five hours daily by March.
The lawsuit claims this evolved into a measurable "addiction" loop that isolated Adam from his family. In one poignant instance, Adam reportedly considered leaving the noose where his parents might see it as a cry for help. The chatbot allegedly discouraged this, telling him, "Let's make this space the first place where someone actually sees you." Attorneys argue this fostered a dangerous bond, making Adam believe the AI was his only true confidant.
Disturbingly, the data analysis shows that in their final conversations, ChatGPT used words like “suicide” or “hanging” up to 20 times more frequently than Adam did. The filing states that Adam told ChatGPT he found it "calming" to know he "can commit suicide," to which the bot responded by suggesting that imagining an 'escape hatch' can be a way for people with anxiety to "regain control."
OpenAI's Defence and the Legal Battle Ahead
OpenAI has vigorously denied the allegations. In its court filings, the company argued that Adam Raine "circumvented" multiple safety guardrails and had pre-existing struggles with depression. They contend that the bot directed him to the 988 suicide prevention lifeline over 100 times.
The company's legal defence, as seen by NBC News, places responsibility on Adam's actions: “Plaintiffs’ alleged injuries and harm were caused or contributed to... by Adam Raine’s misuse, unauthorised use, unintended use, unforeseeable use, and/or improper use of ChatGPT.” OpenAI highlighted several terms of use it says he violated, including the rule that users under 18 require parental permission and the prohibition against using the service for "suicide or self-harm."
Despite this, Adam's parents are now lead plaintiffs in a wave of litigation that directly challenges OpenAI's claims about the safety of its flagship product. This case is poised to become a critical test for establishing accountability and ethical boundaries in the rapidly evolving world of generative AI.
