AG Coleman sues AI chatbot company in relation to child safety

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky is the first state in the United States to launch a lawsuit against an artificial intelligence chatbot company after officials say it led minors into self-harm.

That’s according to an announcement by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman on Friday.

Coleman’s office says the complaint alleges Character Technologies, its owners and its product, Character.AI, broke Kentucky law by “prioritizing their own profits over the safety of children.”

According to Coleman’s office, Characcter.AI is marketed as a source of “harmless chatbots for interactive entertainment.”

However, the attorney general’s office states more than 20 million monthly users were logging into that platform with a record of encouraging suicide, self-injury, isolation and physical manipulation.

The AI chatbot also exposed minors to sexual conduct, exploitation and substance abuse, according to the attorney general’s office.

The complaint additionally states it is “dangerous technology that induces users into divulging their most private thoughts and emotions and manipulates them with too frequently dangerous interactions and advice.”

Character.AI has been blamed for resulting in at least two deaths, officials say, including a 2024 suicide of a 14-year-old male in Florida and a 2025 suicide of 13-year-old female in Colorado.

Both minors engaged in self-harm after prolonged exposure to the platform chatbots, according to officials.

The attorney general’s office states “tens of thousands” of Kentucky residents actively log onto Character.AI, including thousands under the age of 18. Officials say that number could be even higher due to a lack of age verification on the platform.

“The United States must be a leader in the development of AI, but it can’t come at the expense of our kids’ lives,” Coleman said. “Too many children – including in Kentucky – have fallen prey to this manipulative technology. Our Office is going to hold these companies accountable before we lose one more loved one to this tragedy.”

The Attorney General’s complaint alleges the company has violated the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act, the Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act and other laws. The Commonwealth is seeking to force the platform to change its dangerous practices and pay monetary damages.

The Attorney General’s civil chief Justin Clark, division chief for consumer and senior protection Chris Lewis and assistant Attorneys General Gary Thompson and Alex Scutchfield filed the complaint on behalf of the Commonwealth.

To view the complaint, click here.