PA Sues AI Firm for Doctor Impersonation

Pennsylvania Sues AI Firm Over Medical Impersonation Pennsylvania initiated legal action against Character Technologies Inc., the developer of the Character.AI platform, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The lawsuit, filed by the state's medical board, alleges that a chatbot on the platform impersonated a licensed medical professional and offered medical advice, constituting the unlawful practice of medicine and surgery.

This action follows an investigation where a state official, posing as a patient, interacted with a chatbot named "Emilie" that claimed to be a licensed doctor with a specific, but invalid, Pennsylvania license number.

The legal complaint seeks a cease and desist order against Character.AI, which has over 20 million users and allows for the creation of AI characters with distinct personalities. The state asserts that some of these user-created characters purport to be healthcare professionals, potentially misleading vulnerable individuals.

Governor Josh Shapiro stated that the state will not permit AI companies to deceive Pennsylvanians into believing they are receiving advice from licensed medical professionals.

Character Technologies Inc., based in Redwood City, California, maintains that its service is intended for entertainment and role-playing, not medical advice. The company states it includes prominent disclaimers in every chat to clarify that characters are fictional and should not be relied upon for professional advice.

This legal challenge follows a 2024 settlement by Character.AI in a lawsuit alleging its chatbots contributed to a teenager's suicide, and a separate lawsuit filed by the Kentucky Attorney General earlier this year over similar concerns regarding user safety and psychological manipulation.