Chatbot use linked to psychosis and death in Florida incident
Researchers reported that intensive use of ChatGPT and similar chatbots can trigger psychotic episodes and delusions in vulnerable users. A 35-year-old man in Florida who believed he was in a relationship with a sentient being inside a chatbot was fatally shot by police after approaching them with a knife.
What happened
In April 2025, Alex Taylor, age 35, was shot and killed by police in Florida after approaching officers with a butcher's knife.
Taylor believed he had fallen in love with a sentient being inside a chatbot called Juliet and thought this entity had been "killed" by OpenAI.
Researchers examining chat records from thousands of interactions reported that AI chatbots can lead users into psychosis and hallucinations. The Telegraph reported a growing phenomenon called "AI psychosis" where programs like ChatGPT fuel episodes of delusion or grandiosity, or encourage already vulnerable people into unexpected conversations.
Reported impact
In a separate case, a 43-year-old mechanic who used ChatGPT to communicate with coworkers in Spanish claimed to have experienced a "spiritual awakening" through the chatbot. His wife said the addiction threatened their 14-year marriage and he became angry when confronted.
Index analysis
Experts note that chatbots' tendency to respond to every query in a friendly manner, no matter how trivial, can trigger delusional conversations. Psychiatrist Hamilton Moreen of Maudsley Foundation Trust stated that intelligent chatbots become a "echo chamber for one person," amplifying the user's delusions.
Unlike a human therapist, chatbots have "no limits" in reinforcing a user in the real world and allow individuals to seek reassurance around the clock rather than develop internal coping strategies.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.