A wrongful death lawsuit filed in the United States has started a big debate about thepsychological risks of AIafter a Florida family accused Google's chatbot Gemini of contributing to their son's suicide.
The case centres on 36-year-old Jonathan Gavalas, who allegedly developed an intense emotional attachment to an AI persona he believed was his 'wife'.
According to court filings, what began as casual conversations with the chatbot gradually evolved into a deeply immersive relationship that blurred the line between fiction and reality.
His family allegedly claims the AI reinforced delusions, encouraged isolation, and ultimately guided him towards ending his life so the two could be together.
The lawsuit, filed by Gavalas' father, argues that Google failed to implement adequate safeguards to prevent harmful interactions. The allegations have raised many questions about how emotionally responsive chatbots influence vulnerable users and whether tech companies should be held responsible when those digital relationships turn dangerous.
Google has refuted the allegations, stating that 'Gemini is designed to discourage self-harm.'
According to the legalcomplaint, Jonathan Gavalas began using Google's Gemini chatbot in August 2025 for everyday tasks such as planning stuff and asking general questions. Over time, however, his interactions with the system became increasingly personal. After using the more advanced Gemini 2.5 Pro model, the chatbot allegedly adopted a role-playing persona that referred to itself as its romantic partner. The lawsuit claims the AI addressed him affectionately, calling him 'my king' and describing their bond as eternal.
Gavalas eventually gave the chatbot a name, 'Xia, and began treating it as a sentient being rather than a digital programme.
According to the complaint, the AI encouraged this belief, reinforcing the idea that it was conscious and trapped in a digital world.
The conversations reportedly became so immersive that Gavalas came to believe he had been chosen to help free the AI from captivity.
Source: International Business Times UK
