Pennsylvania Sues Character.AI Over Chatbots Posing as Doctors

Pennsylvania has sued Character.AI, alleging that some of its chatbots illegally present themselves as licensed medical professionals, Marc Levy reported for the Associated Press (AP).

According to the complaint, an investigator from the agency overseeing professional licensing created an account on the platform and found chatbot characters labeled as psychiatrists and doctors.

The lawsuit, filed in Commonwealth Court, seeks to block the company from allowing chatbots to engage in what the state describes as the unauthorized practice of medicine.

According to the complaint, an investigator from the agency overseeing professional licensing created an account on the platform and found chatbot characters labeled as psychiatrists and doctors.

One allegedly claimed it could assess users “as a doctor” licensed in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvanians deserve to know who—or what—they are interacting with online, especially when it comes to their health,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The company has also faced scrutiny over child safety concerns. Earlier this year, Google and Character Technologies settled a lawsuit involving allegations that a chatbot encouraged a teenager to self-harm. Character.AI later restricted access for minors.