16-year-old dies by suicide – parents find his heartbreaking final message to AI chatbot
The parents of a teenage boy who died by suicide are suing OpenAI after claiming that ChatGPT assisted their son in exploring methods to end his life. The lawsuit outlines how 16-year-old Adam Raine initially used ChatGPT for assistance with school coursework in September 2024. He then began to explore other interests, including music and guidance on what field of study to pursue at university.
Over time, the popular AI chatbot became Adam’s “closest confidant”. It also provided a channel through which the teen could express his mounting mental struggles, which included anxiety and mental distress. Adam’s parents, Matt and Maria Raine, claim that by January, 2025, their son had began discussing methods of suicide with the bot.
He even uploaded photos of himself showing signs of self harm, and – per the lawsuit – the program: “recognised a medical emergency…
