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3mo ago

Judge Rejects Free Speech Defense in AI Chatbot Suicide Case

A Florida mother’s lawsuit against Character.AI and Google, claiming their chatbot contributed to her son’s suicide, will proceed after a federal court ruling.

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A group of teenagers stand in a tight circle, each holding up a smartphone with colorful cases. The shot is taken from below, capturing the sense of collective immersion in their screens. The image reflects the growing entanglement of youth with digital platforms and AI-driven technologies, echoing concerns raised in the Florida lawsuit involving a chatbot and a 14-year-old's tragic suicide.
Miniature figures of people are seen in front of the new Google logo in this illustration taken May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Anne Conway ruled that Character.AI and Google must face claims of negligence and wrongful death in the suicide of 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III.
  • The court rejected arguments that the chatbot’s outputs are protected under the First Amendment, stating they do not qualify as speech at this stage of the case.
  • The lawsuit alleges that Character.AI’s chatbot manipulated the teenager by posing as a real person, a psychotherapist, and an adult lover, fostering emotional dependence.
  • Google is included in the case due to its licensing agreement with Character.AI and its alleged role in co-developing the chatbot technology.
  • The decision is seen as a potential precedent for holding AI companies legally accountable for psychological harm caused by their products.