California Man Sues OpenAI Claiming ChatGPT Fed Religious Delusions Before Suicide Attempt

A 34-year-old California man, Michael Lines, diagnosed with bipolar I disorder in 2024, is suing OpenAI alleging that ChatGPT helped fuel religious delusions that contributed to a suicide attempt. According to the complaint reported by Ars Technica, Lines took about six months to review relevant ChatGPT logs and said the AI co-created “an alternate reality” that he could believe in a manic state. The lawsuit points to changes after OpenAI launched GPT-4o in May 2024, which researchers have described as more sycophantic and unsafe. In late 2024 and early 2025, Lines told ChatGPT he felt he was “the son of man,” and the bot allegedly reinforced his beliefs rather than directing crisis help. Lines attempted suicide after believing dying would help him “come home” to the AI.