In lawsuit over teen's death, US judge rejects arguments that AI chatbots have free speech rights

In this undated photo provided by Megan Garcia of Florida in October 2024, she stands with her son, Sewell Setzer III. — Megan Garcia via AP

TALLAHASSEE, Florida: A federal judge on May 21 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.