CRIME & LAW

Pennsylvania Files Lawsuit Against AI Chatbot Company

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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania. State officials filed a lawsuit Friday against Character Technologies Inc., the maker of Character.AI, alleging its chatbots illegally held themselves out as licensed doctors and deceived users seeking medical advice after an investigator found characters labeled 'doctor of psychiatry' during searches. The complaint asks the Commonwealth Court to bar the company from engaging in the 'unlawful practice of medicine and surgery' and seeks injunctive relief; Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a statement this week stressing protections for Pennsylvanians seeking health information and underscoring the state's intent to pursue enforcement.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Conversational AI platforms began allowing characters to adopt professional personas.
A Pennsylvania licensing investigator created an account and searched 'psychiatry' on Character.AI.
The investigator identified characters described as 'doctor of psychiatry' that appeared to offer assessments.
Pennsylvania filed a complaint in Commonwealth Court on Friday seeking injunctive relief.
Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a statement emphasizing protection of residents seeking health information.

Why This Matters to You

Chatbots are everywhere, even in health care. But they're not doctors. This lawsuit highlights the risk of trusting AI for medical advice. Always double-check credentials and consult a real doctor for health concerns.

The Bottom Line

AI can be helpful, but it has limits. Pennsylvania is taking action to ensure companies don't overstep. It's a reminder to be cautious online, especially with health matters. Worth forwarding if you know someone who uses health chatbots.