Harassment complaint due to chatbot usage: lawsuit filed against OpenAI

Staff Report: PNN

A new controversy has emerged in California, USA regarding the potential risks of artificial intelligence usage. A woman has alleged that her former boyfriend, after long-term interaction with a chatbot, became influenced by delusional thinking and harassed her. A lawsuit has been filed against OpenAI in connection with the incident.

According to the lawsuit, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, after months of conversations with a chatbot, began to believe that he had invented a treatment for sleep apnea. He also started to think that powerful forces were conspiring against him.

It is further alleged that the man harassed his former girlfriend using these beliefs. He distributed so-called “psychological reports” created with the help of the chatbot to the victim’s family, friends, and workplace, severely damaging her personal and social life.

The victim, who has filed the lawsuit anonymously for security reasons, claims that she repeatedly warned the company, but no proper action was taken. It is also alleged that even after the user’s account was flagged as risky, it was reactivated.

Lawyers said the man later became more aggressive and was eventually arrested. He has been charged with serious offenses including bomb threats and weapons-related allegations. He is currently receiving treatment in a mental health facility.

The lawsuit claims that if proper safeguards are not implemented to prevent misuse of technology, such incidents may increase. The victim has requested the court to permanently disable the accused user’s account and preserve relevant data.

Meanwhile, this incident has renewed discussions about AI safety, the impact on users’ mental health, and the accountability of tech companies. Experts say that as AI technology rapidly evolves, effective policies and oversight are essential to address its risks.