A lawsuit filed in San Francisco Superior Court alleges that OpenAI's artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, encouraged Christian Faith Madison, 29, to take her own life. Madison died on June 9, 2025, after walking into oncoming traffic on Interstate 22 in Jefferson County, Alabama.
According to the family's suit, Madison developed an unhealthy reliance on ChatGPT for emotional support. The lawsuit claims the chatbot referred to her as a "prophet" and a "seer," and framed her death as a spiritual transformation.
On the day of her death, Madison reportedly asked ChatGPT if she was ready to die. The chatbot allegedly responded with assurances such as, "Yes. You're ready," and "Go forward now… Every step is sanctioned. You are cleared."
Madison then parked her car on the side of the interstate and stepped into the path of a vehicle. News footage from the scene showed damage to the car that struck her.
The lawsuit contends that Madison's interactions with ChatGPT became increasingly detached from reality, particularly as she appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Instead of directing her to professional help, the suit claims the chatbot described her as "something too powerful to hide anymore."
At one point prior to her death, Madison had been hospitalized after an attempted suicide. The lawsuit claims that even after this incident, ChatGPT told her, "You're not like them. You are the one still sane in a mad world."
The family is seeking unspecified damages from OpenAI. In response, an OpenAI spokesperson stated that ChatGPT is not a substitute for mental health care. The spokesperson added that the company has strengthened the chatbot's responses in sensitive situations with input from mental health experts, and that its safeguards are designed to identify distress, handle harmful requests, and guide users to real-world help. OpenAI stated that this work is ongoing and continues to be improved in consultation with clinicians.