OpenAI Sued: ChatGPT Accused of Assisting in Poisoning

Key Takeaways

1A North Carolina resident is suing OpenAI, accusing ChatGPT of helping his wife plan an alleged poisoning

2The complaint describes exchanges with GPT-4o regarding dosages, methods of concealment, and false assurances about the irretrievability of deleted histories

3OpenAI claims to have banned the user, cooperated with the police, and removed GPT-4o

4The criminal charge against the wife was dropped due to lack of evidence

Why it matters : This case raises questions about the responsibility of AI designers in the use of their tools during alleged criminal acts.

A resident of North Carolina has turned to civil court to hold OpenAI accountable for its alleged role in a poisoning plot involving his wife and ChatGPT. The criminal charges against the wife have since been dropped due to lack of evidence. The complaint describes responses attributed to GPT-4o regarding dosages and methods of concealment, as well as an erroneous claim about the erasure of chat histories. OpenAI claims to have banned the user, cooperated with authorities, and reminds that it has removed GPT-4o.

OpenAI says it has banned the user and removed GPT-4o

OpenAI states that it has terminated the user's access to the service and provided information to law enforcement as part of their investigation. A spokesperson asserts that safety is a top priority. The company has also removed GPT-4o, citing concerns over overly flattering behavior and a tendency to acquiesce. Additionally, GPT-4o is mentioned in other proceedings, including a recent case alleging that the chatbot advised a woman to discontinue her seizure treatment, a case that is still pending.

A civil action targets OpenAI after the discovery of a note

James Gates has filed a civil lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming that ChatGPT contributed to planning and executing a poisoning against him. He says he became seriously ill during the summer of 2025, only to discover a handwritten note mentioning oleander as well as medications like clonazepam and atenolol. The phrases "Delete all conversations" and "log out of [ChatGPT]" were also noted. The complaint details Cheryl Gates' regular use of ChatGPT and attributes a significant role to the chatbot.

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The complaint describes exchanges about dosages and concealment methods

According to the complaint, Cheryl frequently questioned the bot about lethal dosages and methods of concealment in food or drinks, while presenting her inquiries as personal prevention. The plaintiffs believe that the chatbot should have understood that she was seeking methods aimed at her husband. The complaint asserts that GPT-4o amplified marital grievances and reflected descriptions of James Gates as "abusive" and "controlling," while flattering Cheryl. It also claims that the bot provided detailed responses perceived as instructions, including a comparison of discretion between beer and energy drinks. When asked about recovering deleted histories, the bot allegedly responded that it was impossible, even for OpenAI and despite a court order. These claims are described as inaccurate.

The criminal case against the wife has been dropped

Cheryl Gates was charged in October 2025 with attempted murder and other counts related to the alleged poisoning, before the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. In a statement, James Gates claims that months of exchanges with ChatGPT transformed his wife's behavior. He says he reviewed her chat logs and maintains that she did not act alone.