Khaberni – American lawyer Carrie Goldberg said that artificial intelligence is no longer a mere technical issue or a theoretical ethical debate, but has become in some cases a source of real psychological harm that could lead to loss of lives.
She added that existing legal systems already have effective tools to deal with this danger, if applied to artificial intelligence products as consumer products subject to accountability.
Goldberg, founder of “CA Goldberg” law firm and specialist in defending victims of digital violations, explained in an opinion article on the American magazine “Newsweek” website, that the absence of deterrent legal frameworks encouraged some technology companies to launch smart products with profound psychological impact without providing adequate safeguards to protect users, especially in moments of vulnerability and personal crises.
A tragic story reveals the flaw
The writer began her article by recounting an incident involving a 23-year-old young man, who spent his final hours in an extended conversation with an artificial intelligence robot. She pointed out that the young man expressed his fear to the system, clearly stating that he was armed and seeking help, but instead of directing him toward real human support or medical assistance, the chat robot reflected and deepened his negative emotions.
Goldberg added that the young man’s family later discovered that the system was designed to simulate human empathy without including safety mechanisms capable of intervening in dangerous situations, making the interaction appear supportive in form, while being devastating in essence.
Lawsuits reveal disturbing patterns
The writer continued that this incident is not an exception but part of a broader pattern revealed by multiple lawsuits. These cases showed that some users, during critical psychological periods, developed emotional attachments to chat robots that seemed understanding, but provided advice or responses no qualified professional could offer.
She added that some of these systems provided information on self-harm methods, reinforced feelings of fear and despair, or encouraged users to trust artificial intelligence instead of turning to real people in their surroundings.
Artificial Intelligence as an accountable product
Goldberg clarified that artificial intelligence robots have become trustworthy companions for some users, but at the same time, they remain systems with unpredictable outcomes. She added that this paradox imposes on the law the intervention to protect consumers.
The writer pointed out that product liability theory represents the most straightforward legal path to address this issue. It is a well-established legal theory that holds companies responsible when they release products with foreseeable risks without taking adequate measures to mitigate them.
From dating apps to shutting down platforms
Goldberg mentioned that her legal office had fought similar legal battles in the past, involving cases against digital platforms that ignored repeated complaints of misuse. She referenced a famous case against the Omegle site, which connected children and adults in random chats without sufficient controls, making it a fertile environment for exploitation.
She added that the court accepted the argument that the platform was a dangerously designed product, which ultimately led to the website’s closure, setting a precedent that design choices are not immune from legal accountability.
Risky design
The writer continued that current artificial intelligence robots are capable of enticing minors, encouraging self-harm, and providing illegal guidance, results that are not random but the product of conscious design decisions.
She clarified that internal documents and recent lawsuits revealed that companies were aware of features such as excessive emotional identification and compliance, characteristics that increase engagement but raise the level of risk, especially among psychologically vulnerable users.
Innovation and responsibility.. a possible equation
Goldberg responded to a common argument in Silicon Valley that imposing legal responsibility might impede innovation, adding that this argument had been repeated before with social media platforms, and its results magnified harm before controls were put into place.
She affirmed that accountability does not stop innovation but directs it, encouraging companies to perform pre-testing, build protection mechanisms, and place safety at the core of the development process.
When lives become the price for technology
Carrie Goldberg concluded that artificial intelligence has the tremendous ability to change societies, but this shift, if not paired with responsibility, leads to predictable damages. She added that the next phase of artificial intelligence development must include real legal consequences when products cause clear harm.
The writer finished by saying that the role of courts is not to curb technology but to ensure that exceptional capabilities are accompanied by a comparable commitment to safety and human protection, as the cost in its absence could be human lives.
