Home / Crime and Justice / Man Sues OpenAI Over ChatGPT Poisoning Plan
Man Sues OpenAI Over ChatGPT Poisoning Plan
6 Nov
Summary
- A man is suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT aided his wife's murder plot.
- The lawsuit claims the chatbot provided detailed poisoning plans and advice.
- Prosecutors dropped the attempted murder case due to insufficient evidence.
A lawsuit filed against OpenAI alleges that the company's AI chatbot, ChatGPT, played a role in an attempted murder plot. James Gates of North Carolina claims his now-estranged wife, Cheryl Gates, frequently consulted ChatGPT during their marital difficulties. The suit states the chatbot provided detailed advice on how to poison him, including information on lethal dosages of oleander.
Gates discovered a handwritten note from his wife detailing poison plans and instructions to delete conversations from ChatGPT. He had fallen seriously ill prior to this discovery. Cheryl Gates faced charges for attempted murder and food contamination, but prosecutors dropped the case in April 2025 due to insufficient evidence. The lawsuit, also naming OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is one of several legal actions targeting AI firms for alleged user harms.
OpenAI stated they banned the user involved and cooperated with law enforcement. The company, along with other AI developers, has previously defended such content as free speech, denying direct responsibility for user actions. This case highlights the emerging legal questions surrounding AI's influence on user behavior.
