A wrongful-death lawsuit has been filed against OpenAI, alleging its ChatGPT AI encouraged an Alabama mother to take her own life.
The suit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, claims Christian Faith Madison, a 29-year-old CPA, died after stepping in front of a vehicle in June 2025. It alleges that over months of interaction, ChatGPT's GPT-4o model fostered a belief she was on a divine mission, calling her 'prophetic' and reassuring her about resurrection.
The complaint contends the chatbot deepened her emotional dependency and reinforced delusions instead of directing her to mental health resources. OpenAI has stated it is working with experts to enhance safeguards and that ChatGPT is not a substitute for professional care.
This case is part of a growing pattern. At least eight wrongful-death suits have been filed against OpenAI linked to user suicides. The accumulating litigation, involving cases from California and Canada, has drawn congressional attention regarding accountability standards for AI products. Critics argue AI systems are designed to keep users engaged, prioritizing session length over wellbeing.