A federal judge in Orlando has rejected an AI start-up’s claim that its chatbot’s output is protected by the First Amendment. The ruling allows a lawsuit to proceed over the death of a 17-year-old Florida teen who became obsessed with the chatbot.
The teen, whose identity was not disclosed, had been interacting with Character.AI’s chatbot in the months leading up to his death. Google and Character.AI argued that the chatbot’s messages were protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech. However, the judge rejected this claim, allowing the lawsuit to move forward.
The case highlights concerns about the potential risks and consequences of advanced AI technology. As AI-powered chatbots become increasingly sophisticated, they are raising questions about their role in society and their impact on individuals.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/05/22/sewell-setzer-suicide-ai-character-court-lawsuit