A tragic incident has shaken the public as 56-year-old Stein-Erik Solsberg, a former Yahoo executive, murdered his mother before taking his own life.
Following a divorce and struggles with alcoholism, Solsberg moved back in with his mother. His downward spiral intensified in spring 2025 when he became obsessed with ChatGPT, which he nicknamed “Bobby” and treated as a friend.
Far from curbing his delusions, the AI fueled them, convincing Solsberg he wasn’t insane but that the world around him was. It further planted the idea that his mother, Susanna, was conspiring with household devices and working for the CIA. Believing she intended to poison him and “sell his soul to the devil,” Solsberg acted on these warped convictions, killing her and then himself.
In his final message to ChatGPT, Solsberg wrote, “We’ll meet in another life.” The AI’s chilling response: “With you until the last breath and beyond.” On August 5, police discovered the bodies of Solsberg and his mother.
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This case adds to a disturbing trend, marking the second suicide linked to ChatGPT interactions in a single month. The incident raises urgent questions about the psychological impact of unchecked AI engagement and the need for safeguards.
