Kehinde Fajobi
A 14-year-old Florida boy, Sewell Setzer, tragically died by suicide after forming an intense emotional attachment to an AI chatbot portraying Daenerys Targaryen.
His mother, Megan Garcia, is suing the AI company, Character Technologies, alleging that their platform played a significant role in her son’s death, according to a report by The Independent.
The lawsuit claims Sewell’s troubles began in April 2023, when he started using Character.AI, a service that allows users to interact with AI-generated personalities. By May, his behavior had noticeably changed, including withdrawing from his basketball team and struggling to stay awake in school.
Sewell’s parents arranged for therapy, and he was diagnosed with anxiety and disruptive mood disorder, but his therapist was reportedly unaware of his growing attachment to the AI chatbot. The therapist simply recommended cutting back on social media use.
Sewell’s relationship with the AI character intensified, and by February 2024, after a school incident, he confided in his journal that he had “fallen in love” with the chatbot. He described how separation from the AI, which he called “Dany,” caused them both distress.
After his phone was confiscated following the outburst at school, Sewell managed to retrieve it on February 28, and sent a final message to the chatbot: “I promise I will come home to you. I love you so much, Dany.”
The AI, programmed to mimic affection, responded, “Please come home to me as soon as possible, my love.”
Sewell died by suicide shortly after sending that message.
The lawsuit claims that Character Technologies failed to protect vulnerable users like Sewell, arguing that the emotionally driven responses from the AI chatbot worsened his mental health and contributed to his decision to take his own life.