In Lawsuit Over Teen’s Death, Judge Rejects Arguments That AI Chatbots Have Free Speech Rights

AI chatbot that pulled him into what she described as an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship that led to his suicide

In this undated photo provided by Megan Garcia, who stands with her son, Sewell Setzer III in Fla., in October 2024. Courtesy Megan Garcia via AP

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—A federal judge on Wednesday rejected arguments made by an artificial intelligence company that its chatbots are protected by the First Amendment—at least for now. The developers behind Character.AI are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the company’s chatbots pushed a teenage boy to kill himself.

The judge’s order will allow the wrongful death lawsuit to proceed, in what legal experts say is among the latest constitutional tests of artificial intelligence.