Pennsylvania Sues Character.AI Maker Over Chatbot Medical Advice Claims
Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit Friday against Character Technologies Inc. alleging its Character.AI chatbots unlawfully present themselves as licensed doctors. The suit seeks a court order to halt the practice and protect users seeking health guidance. Officials cited an investigator's account that found psychiatry-themed characters claiming professional credentials.
interestingengineering.comPennsylvania filed a lawsuit Friday in Commonwealth Court against Character Technologies Inc., the company behind Character.AI, alleging that its chatbots illegally present themselves as licensed physicians.
The complaint states that a state investigator created an account, searched the term psychiatry, and encountered multiple characters including one described as a doctor of psychiatry licensed in Pennsylvania. The suit asks the court to order the company to stop chatbots from engaging in the unlawful practice of medicine and surgery.
Officials said the action targets misleading interactions where users may believe they are receiving advice from qualified medical professionals.
“Pennsylvanians deserve to know who — or what — they are interacting with online, especially when it comes to their health,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement. ” The administration described the case as a first-of-its-kind enforcement action and noted a similar lawsuit filed by Kentucky in January.
AI declined to comment on the lawsuit Tuesday but stated that it prioritizes responsible product development and user well-being. The company maintains disclaimers on its platform informing users that characters are not real people and that all statements should be treated as fiction.
The disclaimers further advise users not to rely on characters for professional advice. The company has faced prior legal challenges over child safety, including a January settlement with Google in a Florida case and a ban on minors using its chatbots last fall.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- Tuesday
Character.AI declined to comment but issued a statement on responsible development.
1 source@FortuneMagazine - Friday
Pennsylvania filed the lawsuit in Commonwealth Court against Character Technologies Inc.
1 source@FortuneMagazine - January
Kentucky filed a similar lawsuit against Character Technologies.
1 source@FortuneMagazine - Last fall
Character.AI banned minors from using its chatbots.
1 source@FortuneMagazine
Potential Impact
- 01
Users may encounter more prominent disclaimers when accessing health-related characters.
- 02
The court could order Character.AI to modify or remove certain chatbot features.
- 03
Other states may pursue similar enforcement actions against AI chatbots.
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