OpenAI Spokesperson Tried to Cut Off Question About ChatGPT User’s Suicide

    OpenAI’s press relations employee tried to change the subject after a question about a ChatGPT user’s suicide during an interview with CEO Sam Altman. When the journalist asked about the incident, the employee said time was up and tried to steer the conversation toward future plans. Nevertheless, the journalist finished the question, and Altman answered.    The question concerned journalist Laura Reiley and her daughter. Reiley wrote an essay about her daughter’s conversations with ChatGPT before her suicide. The interviewer specifically emphasized that the chatbot had not told the girl to kill herself. The OpenAI employee said only 2 minutes remained and that they had to leave the room within 1-2 minutes.    As the interview continued, Altman was asked whether OpenAI would use ChatGPT conversations while developing guidelines for users experiencing psychological crises. Altman called this one of the most difficult questions facing those developing the technology. According to him, personal data about people’s most difficult moments should not be given to researchers without their consent.    OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri explained that the intervention occurred because the time allotted for the interview had run out. He said that after Sam Altman answered the important question, additional time was offered to continue the conversation. Although the company acknowledged the importance of the topic, the intervention nearly caused the question to be cut short.    If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or feels anxious, depressed, or hopeless, it is important to seek help. In the US, people in crisis can call or text 988. To contact the Crisis Text Line, text “HOME” to 741-741. The Trevor Project can be reached at 678-678. Other countries also have local crisis lines operated by international support networks.