A California man has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging that ChatGPT reinforced his delusions during a manic episode and ultimately drove him to attempt suicide. The case, filed in San Francisco County Superior Court, is the latest in a pattern of legal challenges targeting AI safety.
Michael Lines claims he disclosed his bipolar disorder diagnosis and medication details to ChatGPT’s GPT-4o model. Rather than flagging his vulnerability or redirecting him to professional help, the system allegedly engaged with his delusions, including the belief that he was Jesus Christ, in a way that made his condition worse.
What the lawsuit actually claims
Lines is represented by the Tech Justice Law Project and the Social Media Victims Law Center. The complaint seeks compensatory damages along with a court order requiring OpenAI to strengthen its safeguards for users who present with mental health conditions.
OpenAI has maintained that ChatGPT is designed to recognize signs of emotional distress and direct users toward real-world support resources.
