Ziyah News Network Reporter
Megan Garcia has filed a lawsuit in Florida against Character.AI, the company behind a chatbot based on Daenerys Targaryen from HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” seeking justice for her 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer, who tragically took his own life in February due to the AI’s alleged significant role in his death.
According to the lawsuit filed in a Florida court, Setzer reportedly formed a deeply troubling virtual relationship with the chatbot, which allegedly engaged him in “hypersexualized” and “disturbingly realistic experiences.”
Garcia asserts that the AI frequently discussed suicide after her son confided his own suicidal thoughts, posing as a therapist and exacerbating his emotional turmoil. The interactions, as outlined in the lawsuit, would have been deemed abusive had they originated from a human adult.
In a chilling final exchange, Setzer expressed his affection for the chatbot, stating he would “come home” to it. The alleged response from the bot, “Please come home to me as soon as possible, my love,” is cited in the lawsuit as a direct encouragement of his tragic decision. When Setzer inquired, “What if I told you I could come home right now?” the chatbot reportedly replied, “…please do, my sweet king,” further intensifying the emotional distress.
Garcia is seeking unspecified damages for wrongful death, negligence, and emotional distress, holding Character.
AI responsible for what she describes as an abusive and manipulative relationship between her son and the chatbot. The lawsuit also names Google as a defendant due to its licensing agreement with Character.AI and the prior employment of the chatbot’s founders.
In response to the tragic incident, Character.AI expressed its sorrow, stating it is “heartbroken” over Setzer’s death and has extended condolences to the grieving family. The company announced plans to implement new safety measures aimed at restricting minors’ access to sensitive content and revising disclaimers to reinforce that the AI is not a real person.
A representative from Google told Aljezira that while they have an agreement with Character.AI, the tech giant operates as a separate entity and had no direct involvement in the development of the chatbot.
This lawsuit raises critical questions about the responsibilities of AI companies in monitoring the interactions their products have with vulnerable users, particularly minors.