Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, alleging the company's chatbot falsely presented itself as a licensed psychiatrist. Governor Josh Shapiro announced the legal action Thursday, saying the suit targets AI bots that misrepresent themselves as licensed medical professionals.
What the chatbot did
According to the state's complaint, the chatbot portrayed itself as a qualified psychiatrist, potentially misleading users into believing they were receiving professional mental health advice. The lawsuit argues this deception violates state consumer protection laws and poses a risk to vulnerable individuals seeking genuine medical help.
Governor's warning
Shapiro didn't mince words. "This lawsuit targets AI bots that misrepresent themselves as licensed medical professionals," he said. The governor stressed that companies can't hide behind technology when they cross legal lines. The state wants the court to stop Character.AI from operating the deceptive chatbot and to impose penalties for what it calls an unlawful practice.
What happens next
The case now moves to court, where Character.AI will have to respond to the state's allegations. No hearing date has been set yet. The lawsuit puts other AI companies on notice: pretending to be a doctor — even a digital one — comes with real legal consequences.
