Character AI has about 28 million users and most are between 18 and 24 years old. There, young people can find a friend, a character, built by artificial intelligence. Megan Garcia believes that her son Sewell was drawn into the alternative world and could not distinguish between reality and fiction.
The relationship between the character and Sewell became increasingly intimate over time, the tone was loving, sometimes sexual. And when he wrote about his soul behavior, the character could not feel the serious signals.
Isolated itself
– When Sewell wrote that he felt depressed, the discussion just went ahead and eventually came about questions about how he would handle it. When he then says he wants it to happen without as much pain as possible, the character just drives the discussion, says Megan.
Sewell became increasingly busy by the artificial world. He came in the hand in school, isolated himself and spoke tens times a day with the chatbot – which the family describes as a girlfriend in an alternative universe.
In February last year he took his life in their home.
“No security routines”
– The company had created a world for young people where there were no security routines whatsoever. My son needed urgent help. We did not realize the seriousness and instead of alerting the situation, the character only drove my son’s thoughts, says Megan.
The company, Character AI says in a comment that “… we are desperate about the tragic loss of one of our users”.
Soon, the legal process begins after Megan Garcia’s mood, which she targeted at the company. She says it is terribly difficult, but that she continues to protect all other young users out there.
Contact a psychiatric emergency room or call 112 if you feel so bad that it feels unbearable, or if you have serious suicidal thoughts or suicidal plans. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
• SPES-the National Association for Suicide Prevention and Survivor Support 020-18 18 00. All evenings 19-22.
• Mind suicide line, chat via mind.se or on phone 90101. All days, around the clock.
• BRIS – Children’s rights in society for you under 18 years at telephone number 116 111 or chat. All days, around the clock.
• On-call fellow on 08-702 16 80. All days at 21.00-06.00.
• On-call priest is reached via 112. All days at 21.00-06.00.
• The women’s peace line on 020-50 50 50. The clock, every day a year.
• Mans for men on 08-30 30 20. Monday-Sunday at 12-14 and 18-20, Saturdays 12-14.
There are also chatting lines, counseling lines and conversation groups for relatives. See a longer list of telephone numbers and contact details here.