After its launch, ChatGPT has faced multiple lawsuits for helping the criminals. In a shocking case, OpenAI’s chatbot is again under scrutiny. As per reports, a 17-year-old Indian-origin boy has been charged with two counts of murder after his mother and younger brother were found dead inside their home in Acton, Massachusetts. The case has also drawn attention to the teenager’s reported use of ChatGPT, which investigators are examining as part of their inquiry into the killings. Authorities allege that the teenager had used the chatbot to explore fictional and theoretical scenarios involving violence against his family before the deaths.
As per the authorities cited in multiple reports, the teenager is accused of killing his 45-year-old mother, Sudha Venkatesan, and his 14-year-old brother, Siddarth Aravind, at their home on Martha Lane.
Police were called to the property after a tutor arrived for a scheduled appointment at around 6:30pm and could not enter the house. She contacted the teenager’s father, who was also unable to reach the family and requested a welfare check.
Officers subsequently found both victims inside the house. Venkatesan was discovered in the basement, while Siddarth was found on the first floor. Authorities said both had suffered apparent trauma.
The report also added that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has yet to determine the exact cause and manner of death. The investigators are also continuing to establish how the killings occurred and whether a weapon was involved. The accused allegedly left the property in his mother’s Honda Accord following the incident and is now in police custody.
Investigators reportedly found evidence that the teenager had used ChatGPT to make fictional scenarios involving violence. Reports say he created characters and explored Gothic-style stories and theoretical ideas involving the killing of family members.
On the other hand, OpenAI stated that ChatGPT is designed to reject requests seeking instructions or assistance for violent acts. The company has also said it monitors conversations for patterns indicating serious threats and may escalate cases for human review or contact law enforcement when there is an imminent and credible danger.