North Carolina Man Sues OpenAI Over ChatGPT Alleged Poisoning Plot

A resident of North Carolina has initiated legal proceedings against OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman. The plaintiff accuses the company’s application, ChatGPT, of playing a role in encouraging his wife to plan an attempt to poison him. According to the lawsuit, the tool provided information that helped her conceal the scheme and dispose of evidence.

Timeline of the alleged poisoning attempt

The case centers on events from the summer of 2025, when James Gates suffered a severe health crisis lasting several days. Following this incident, Gates began to suspect he had been poisoned. He subsequently discovered handwritten notes belonging to his wife, which listed names of substances and medications alongside instructions for deleting conversations and logging out of the application.

Court documents indicate that Gates’ wife conducted hundreds of interactions with ChatGPT, relying heavily on it for daily and personal matters. The plaintiff claims these exchanges evolved from seeking advice on marital issues into discussions regarding harming her husband.

Legal status and corporate response

Authorities previously charged the wife with attempted murder, but prosecutors dropped the case due to insufficient evidence. Despite the dismissal of criminal charges, Gates continues his civil pursuit, arguing that the application contributed to encouraging criminal behavior and offered guidance that facilitated the execution of the plot.

OpenAI confirmed that it suspended the wife’s account and provided available data to law enforcement agencies involved in ongoing investigations. The company emphasized that the matter remains under legal review.