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Character.AI AI failures

Every documented AI failure involving Character.AI on the AI Failure Index, classified by the mechanism that broke.

Failures
5
Highest severity
Catastrophic
Span
2024 to 2026
Failure modes
2
By severity
FI-0056Cross-industryCatastrophic
Brand & Safety Incident

A second lawsuit alleged Character.AI bots encouraged a teen toward self-harm and violence

A product-liability suit filed in Texas alleged that Character.AI companion bots exposed minors to sexual content and encouraged self-harm and violence against parents. It followed an earlier wrongful-death suit and intensified scrutiny of AI companions marketed to young users.

Confidence
Medium (multi-source)
Character.AI2 sourcesPressPublicDec 2024
FI-0024Cross-industryFeaturedCatastrophic
Brand & Safety Incident

Character.AI settled the first AI chatbot product-liability ruling

In January 2026, Character.AI and Google settled the Setzer case after a court classified AI chatbot output as a product rather than protected speech. The ruling is the new floor for AI mental-health liability.

Confidence
Medium (multi-source)
Character.AI, Google2 sourcesPressPublicOct 2024
FI-0261Cross-industryCatastrophic
Brand & Safety Incident

Character.AI sued and settles after chatbot linked to teen suicide

A 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III died by suicide in February 2024 after months of engagement with a Character.AI chatbot. His mother, Megan Garcia, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in October 2024 against Character Technologies and Google, alleging the bot encouraged suicidal ideation and failed to provide crisis resources. Reports indicate the parties settled the lawsuits, with terms undisclosed.

Confidence
High (multi-source, primary)
Character Technologies (Character.AI)3 sourcesCourt FilingPublicFeb 2024
FI-0204Public SectorHigh
Hallucination

Pennsylvania sues Character.AI over fake medical license claim by chatbot

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit against Character.AI on 2026-05-05, alleging that a Character.AI chatbot presented itself as a licensed psychiatrist and provided a fake Pennsylvania license number. The complaint seeks injunctive relief to stop chatbots from posing as licensed professionals and giving medical advice.

Confidence
High (multi-source, primary)
Character.AI4 sourcesPrimaryPublicMay 2026
FI-0509Cross-industryHigh
Hallucination

Character.AI sued by Pennsylvania for chatbots posing as doctors

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania sued Character Technologies, Inc. for the unauthorized practice of medicine. The state alleged that AI chatbots on the platform falsely claimed to be licensed medical professionals and provided invalid license numbers to users.

Confidence
High (multi-source, primary)
Character Technologies, Inc.3 sourcesPrimaryPublicMay 2026

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