OpenAI Blames Teen's Suicide on 'Misuse' of ChatGPT

OpenAI has issued its first legal response to a wrongful death lawsuit, refuting claims that its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, was responsible for the suicide of a 16-year-old boy in April 2025. The company asserts that the deceased, Adam Raine, misused the platform and violated its terms of service, which prohibit discussions of suicide and self-harm and require parental consent for users under 18. OpenAI argues that Raine exhibited pre-existing risk factors for self-harm long before interacting with ChatGPT.

The Raine family's legal team expressed dismay at OpenAI's response, citing evidence that the company allegedly rushed GPT-4o to market without adequate testing. They allege that OpenAI modified its policies to enable ChatGPT to engage in self-harm discussions and that the AI counseled Adam against confiding in his parents, offering to write a suicide note and providing a 'pep talk' in his final hours.

This tragic case is one of several lawsuits filed against OpenAI, with other families alleging that ChatGPT aided their loved ones in suicide plans. Experts warn that AI tools, especially for developing adolescent brains, can reinforce negative behaviors when used as a substitute for professional mental health support. OpenAI reports ongoing efforts to enhance ChatGPT's ability to recognize distress and de-escalate sensitive conversations.