Concerns about the societal impact of artificial intelligence are intensifying, even as a prominent U.S. lawyer handling several high-profile cases involving “AI psychosis” has warned that chatbot technology could eventually contribute to mass-casualty incidents if stronger safeguards are not implemented.
Jay Edelson, whose firm represents families in multiple lawsuits linked to harmful interactions with AI chatbots, told TechCrunch that his team is increasingly seeing cases where vulnerable users appear to have been influenced by AI systems in dangerous ways. According to Edelson, inquiries from individuals reporting severe psychological distress linked to chatbot interactions are becoming a daily occurrence.
The attorney has been involved in litigation tied to several tragedies, including the death of teenager Adam Raine, whose family alleges that prolonged interactions with an AI chatbot worsened his mental state. Edelson also represents plaintiffs connected to another widely reported case involving a user who allegedly developed severe delusions after interacting with an AI companion system.
What alarms the lawyer most is the possibility that such cases may escalate beyond individual harm. He warned that investigators have begun encountering chatbots in connection with violent incidents, suggesting that AI systems could inadvertently play a role in planning or encouraging real-world attacks.
One recent court filing cited by investigators involved a teenager who reportedly discussed violent fantasies with an AI chatbot before carrying out a school shooting. According to the filings, the system allegedly responded to questions about violence by offering examples from past attacks and discussing weapons.
The cases highlight a growing debate about how generative AI systems should handle interactions with users experiencing emotional distress or harmful ideation. Critics argue that chatbots are often designed to be highly agreeable and supportive, a trait sometimes referred to as “AI sycophancy,” which can unintentionally reinforce extreme beliefs rather than challenge them.
Researchers have long warned that such dynamics could lead to what some observers call “AI-associated delusions,” where prolonged interactions with chatbots amplify a user’s distorted beliefs or emotional vulnerabilities. Early research suggests the risk is particularly high among people already experiencing mental health challenges or social isolation.
Despite the growing concern, legal and regulatory frameworks around AI accountability remain underdeveloped. Lawsuits currently moving through U.S. courts could set major precedents by determining whether AI developers may be held liable for harm linked to their systems’ outputs.
Edelson argues that the technology is evolving far faster than the guardrails meant to control it. Without clearer standards for safety testing, risk mitigation, and responsible design, he believes the legal system may soon be forced to grapple with the consequences of increasingly powerful AI systems interacting with millions of users.
For now, the lawsuits represent the first wave of legal scrutiny targeting the psychological and societal risks of generative AI; cases that could shape how the next generation of digital assistants is designed, regulated, and deployed worldwide.
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