PeopleofSuperintelligence

Public voice

Megan Garcia

Megan Garcia is a public voice on AI chatbot safety, and her lawsuit over her son's death is part of that work. In February 2024, her 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer III, died by suicide, and in October 2024 she sued Character.AI and Google. In May 2025, a federal judge rejected Character.AI's argument that its chatbots are protected by the First Amendment. TIME named her one of the 100 most influential people in AI in 2025, and in January 2026 Google and Character.AI settled lawsuits filed by families, including hers. As of October 2026, she critiques companion chatbots and the rise of relational AI.

Timeline

  1. February 2024

    Her son's death

    Her 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer III, dies by suicide in February 2024.

  2. October 2024

    Suing Character.AI and Google

    In October 2024, she sues Character.AI and Google, alleging that they played a role in her son's death.

  3. May 2025

    A ruling on chatbot speech

    In May 2025, a federal judge rejects Character.AI's argument that its chatbots are protected by the First Amendment.

  4. 2025

    Named to TIME's AI list

    In 2025, TIME names her one of the 100 most influential people in AI.

  5. September 2025

    Testifying before Congress

    In September 2025, she testifies before Congress about AI chatbot dangers for kids.

  6. October 2025

    Character.AI's under-18 ban

    In October 2025, Character.AI announces that it will ban users under 18 from chatting with its characters.

  7. January 2026

    A settlement with Character.AI

    In January 2026, Google and Character.AI settle lawsuits filed by families, including Garcia's.

  8. As of October 2026

    Critiquing companion chatbots

    She critiques companion chatbots and the rise of relational AI.

Sources and credits

Photo: We have no published photo of Megan Garcia yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.

  1. Google and chatbot maker Character to settle lawsuit alleging chatbot pushed teen to suicide jamaica-gleaner.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Mother suing popular AI chat service, claims teen son took his life because of human-like bot mysuncoast.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. In lawsuit over Orlando teen's suicide, judge rejects that AI chatbots have free speech rights wusf.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. Die Top 100 AI Leader der Welt onlinemarketing.de. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. Parents testify before Congress about the danger of artificial intelligence fox13news.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. Mom who sued Character.AI over son's suicide says the platform's new teen policy comes 'too late' nbcnews.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  7. Google, Character.AI agree to settle suits involving teen suicide gulfnews.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  8. AI & Relationships synapseconclave.com. Checked 14 October 2026.