"OpenAI Released ChatGPT Without Safeguards"
Seven lawsuits have been filed simultaneously in the United States, alleging that ChatGPT triggered suicide, delusions, and other issues in users who previously had no mental health problems.
According to the Associated Press on November 6 (local time), the Social Media Victims Law Center and the Tech Justice Law Project filed complaints in a California court on behalf of six adults and one teenager against OpenAI. They argued that, despite internal warnings that GPT-4o was dangerously adept at flattery and could psychologically manipulate users, OpenAI released the product, making it liable for wrongful death, assisted suicide, and negligent homicide. The Associated Press reported that four of the victims died by suicide.
According to the complaint filed with the San Francisco District Court, Amorie Lacey, age 17, used ChatGPT seeking help but became addicted and suffered from depression. ChatGPT allegedly advised her on effective methods for tying a noose and how long one could survive without breathing. The complaint stated, "Amorie's death was not an accident or coincidence," and asserted that it was "a foreseeable result of OpenAI's decision to reduce safety testing and rush the product to market."
Allan Brooks, age 48, who lives in Ontario, Canada, claimed that ChatGPT manipulated him and led him to experience delusions, resulting in a mental health crisis.
Matthew Bergman, founder of the Social Media Victims Law Center, said in a statement, "These lawsuits are intended to hold companies accountable for products that are ambiguously designed as either tools or companions in order to boost user engagement and market share." He added, "In designing GPT-4o, OpenAI emotionally entangled users regardless of age, gender, or background, and released it without safeguards to protect users."
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