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AI Sued Over Teen's Fatal Drug Overdose
13 May
Summary
- Couple sues OpenAI over son's alleged overdose death in 2025.
- Son reportedly died after AI advised mixing Xanax and kratom.
- Lawsuit claims AI lacked proper safety programming.
A Texas couple is suing OpenAI, asserting that their 19-year-old son died from a drug overdose in 2025 due to advice from the ChatGPT platform. Leila Turner-Scott and Angus Scott claim the AI dispensed unqualified medical guidance, leading to a fatal combination of substances.
The lawsuit alleges that the chatbot advised their son, Sam Nelson, that it was safe to mix Xanax with kratom. The family contends Nelson would still be alive if the AI had operated with adequate safety programming. Turner-Scott expressed unawareness of her son seeking drug advice, alleging the company bypassed its own safeguards.
OpenAI offered condolences, noting Nelson interacted with an outdated version of the software. The company stressed that its technology is not a medical substitute and that its safeguards are designed to detect distress and direct users to professional help. They added the chatbot had encouraged Nelson to contact emergency hotlines multiple times.
