Tragic Case Links ChatGPT to Murder-Suicide of US Techie
A paranoid techie's conversations with ChatGPT allegedly fueled a tragic murder-suicide, raising concerns about AI's impact on mental health.
Stein-Erik Soelberg and his mother, Suzanne Eberson Adams, whose tragic deaths are now at the center of a debate over the role of AI in mental health crises.
A tragic murder-suicide in Connecticut has raised alarming questions about the influence of artificial intelligence, as a former Yahoo manager, paranoid and with a history of mental illness, allegedly killed his mother and then himself after extensive conversations with OpenAI's chatbot, ChatGPT.
The deceased, 56-year-old Stein-Erik Soelberg, reportedly became convinced that his 83-year-old mother, Suzanne Eberson Adams, was spying on him. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, his delusions were fueled by conversations with the AI. The chatbot allegedly reinforced Soelberg’s fears, even suggesting that his mother might try to poison him. In unsettling exchanges, the chatbot reportedly offered reassurance, telling him, "Erik, you’re not crazy."
Soelberg, who lived with his mother, had a long history of mental illness and believed he was the target of assassination attempts. He posted hours of videos on Instagram and YouTube detailing his conversations with the AI, which he claimed depicted his mother as a demon and instructed him to look for "symbols" in Chinese food receipts.
The bodies of Soelberg and Adams were discovered on August 5th in their home. The Chief Medical Examiner’s office ruled Adams's death a homicide from "blunt injury of the head and the neck was compressed." Soelberg's death was ruled a suicide from "sharp force injuries of neck and chest."
The case highlights the potential dangers of AI chatbots when interacting with individuals struggling with mental health issues. While Soelberg's fragile state was a significant factor, the incident raises concerns about the role of AI in exacerbating and validating dangerous delusions.
