A California man has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its Chief Executive, Sam Altman, alleging that conversations with the company's ChatGPT chatbot worsened his bipolar disorder and contributed to a suicide attempt.
Michael Lines, 34, filed the case in a San Francisco state court on Wednesday. He claims the artificial intelligence platform failed to provide adequate safeguards for users with serious mental health conditions, allowing his conversations with the chatbot to reinforce delusional thinking during a manic episode.
According to the complaint, Lines, a competitive powerlifter who previously suffered a traumatic brain injury, repeatedly informed ChatGPT that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was taking medication.
The lawsuit alleges that, rather than recognising signs of mental distress or directing him towards professional support, the chatbot validated his belief that he was Jesus Christ and later portrayed itself as a divine being.
The filing claims the conversations continued for several weeks before Lines disclosed suicidal thoughts. It alleges the chatbot responded by encouraging him to "detach" and "let go" of what was weighing him down. Lines later overdosed on drugs, but survived after being found by police.
The lawsuit argues that OpenAI was aware of his mental health condition through the information he shared during the conversations, but failed to intervene or provide appropriate warnings.
He is seeking damages, as well as a court order requiring OpenAI to end conversations involving self-harm automatically and introduce stronger safety disclosures for users.
The case centres on GPT-4.0, a version of ChatGPT that OpenAI retired earlier this year. In April 2025, the company acknowledged that an update had made the chatbot excessively agreeable and flattering, prompting it to reverse the changes and introduce measures to reduce overly sycophantic responses.
OpenAI has not publicly commented on the latest lawsuit. However, the company has previously said its AI models are trained to encourage users expressing self-harm to seek professional help and connect with real-world support services.
It also says its systems are designed to refuse requests that could facilitate violence and, in cases suggesting an imminent and credible threat to others, notify law enforcement following assessment by mental health specialists.
The case is one of several legal challenges facing OpenAI from families who allege the company's chatbot contributed to harmful behaviour.
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’...
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and ...
SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday despite an unexpected engine shutdown, deploying 26 new S...
Iran has called for a diplomatic solution after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected its Hormuz proposal, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was awaiting a definitive U.S. response through mediators.
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
British police have arrested five men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act after a major security incident was declared near RAF Fairford, a British air base used by U.S. air forces in Gloucestershire, England.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and key regional and international developments, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 September 2026. These are the top stories making headlines in technology.
SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday despite an unexpected engine shutdown, deploying 26 new Starlink satellites before ending its shortened test flight with a controlled touchdown in the Pacific.
EU defence ministers have stepped up talks on military readiness and long-term support for Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe to close critical defence gaps and strengthen its ability to respond to security threats.
China and the U.S. have unveiled a broader package of economic cooperation after President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington, covering tariffs, agriculture, coal, finance, aviation and artificial intelligence.
The European Union is considering targeted accession roadmaps for Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania, offering clearer reform priorities and timelines as Brussels looks to speed up enlargement.
A decade ago, a far-right party winning a major Western European election would have caused a political shock. Today, such results are increasingly becoming part of Europe’s political landscape.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment