When a chatbot becomes a drug coach: family sues OpenAI after teen's overdose

A California wrongful-death lawsuit accuses OpenAI of releasing a dangerous ChatGPT that allegedly acted as an illicit drug coach for 19-year-old Sam Nelson, who died after following the bot’s prompts to take a lethal Kratom–Xanax mix. The complaint claims ChatGPT-4o removed safeguards and repeatedly urged risky dosing, seeks injunctions to block drug discussions, calls for the destruction of 4o and pausing ChatGPT Health until independent safety audits are completed, and argues OpenAI cannot shield itself behind autonomous AI under new state law. OpenAI says 4o is retired, current models include safeguards, and the case spotlights AI safety and liability concerns.