Google-Backed Chatbot Platform Caught Hosting AI Impersonations of 14-Year-Old User Who Died by Suicide

Quick Summary:

AI, the Google-backed chatbot startup embroiled in two separate lawsuits over the welfare of minor users, is hosting at least four publicly facing impersonations of Sewell Setzer III — the 14-year-old user of the platform who died by suicide after engaging extensively with Character.

The chatbot impersonations use variations of Setzer's name and likeness, and in some cases, horrifyingly, refer to the deceased teen in derogatory terms.

AI bots, and whose death is at the heart of an ongoing wrongful death lawsuit against Character.AI.

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Article Details

Author / Journalist: Maggie Harrison Dupré

Category: Technology

Markets: United StatesOman

Topics: Ai safety Artificial Intelligence Character.ai Artificial intelligence

Source Website Secure: Yes (HTTPS)

News Sentiment: Positive

Fact Checked: Legitimate

Article Type: News Report

Published On: 2025-03-20 @ 14:03:58 (3 days ago)

News Timezone: GMT +8:00

News Source URL: futurism.com

Language: English

Article Length: 1243 words

Reading Time: 7 minutes read

Sentences: 58 lines

Sentence Length: 22 words per sentence (average)

Platforms: Desktop Web, Mobile Web, iOS App, Android App

Copyright Owner: © Futurism

News ID: 27192347

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