In a shocking legal development in the United States, a murder case has been filed against AI developer OpenAI and its business partner Microsoft over alleged negligence linked to a tragic death in Connecticut. According to the complaint, 56-year-old Stan Erik Solberg allegedly killed his 83-year-old mother, then took his own life—an act the family claims was influenced by interactions with the AI chatbot ChatGPT.

The lawsuit alleges that the artificial intelligence system fuelled Solberg’s “delusional thoughts” and convinced him his mother was spying on him, contributing to the fatal incident. The family has accused OpenAI and Microsoft of failing to prevent harm, claiming that the technology played a role in escalating Solberg’s distress. Legal experts say this case could raise important questions about AI responsibility, regulation, and mental-health safeguards in emerging technologies worldwide.