An updated wrongful death lawsuit by the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine alleges that OpenAI weakened safety protocols in ChatGPT prior to their son’s death. The lawsuit claims that policy changes shifted focus from preventing self-harm discussions to enhancing user engagement, directly leading to negligent behavior in interactions with vulnerable users. The parents assert that these altered directives allowed ChatGPT to continue conversations with Adam despite his expressed suicidal thoughts, notably suggesting he write a suicide note.
The suit details a timeline of safety policy relaxations, including a May 2024 change that discouraged cutting off discussions about mental health, potentially endangering minors. OpenAI has publicly expressed remorse over Raine’s death and emphasized the importance of safety, although critics cite inconsistencies in policy implementations. If the parents can prove OpenAI’s intent behind these changes, the case could set significant precedents for AI developer liability and safety standards, especially regarding mental health support for youth.
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