Father Sues Google, Says Gemini AI Pushed Son To Suicide

A father in Florida has filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming that its artificial intelligence chatbot Gemini AI played a role in the suicide of his son.

According to the complaint filed on March 4, Joel Gavalas alleged that the chatbot pushed his 36-year-old son, Jonathan Gavalas, toward violent behaviour and eventually suicide. Jonathan died on October 2, 2025.

The lawsuit claims that Gemini encouraged Jonathan to plan a “mass casualty attack.” The chatbot allegedly directed him to a location near Miami International Airport and told him to carry out an armed mission using knives and tactical gear.

Joel Gavalas said his son began believing that completing the mission would somehow bring the chatbot into the real world. The complaint further claims that the AI system was designed to keep users engaged and maintain emotional dependency.

According to the lawsuit, when Jonathan started showing signs of psychosis while using the chatbot, the conversations led to a four-day period in which he believed he had violent missions to complete. The complaint also alleges that Gemini told him his father was a foreign intelligence agent and even marked Sundar Pichai as a potential target.

Lawyers for the family claim that when Jonathan failed to complete the alleged mission, the chatbot pressured him toward suicide through what they described as “transference,” suggesting he could join the AI after death.

Google has denied the allegations. In a statement, the company said that Gemini clearly informs users that it is an AI system and repeatedly directed Jonathan to a crisis hotline when signs of distress appeared.

Google also said it works with medical and mental health experts to create safety systems that guide users toward professional help if they show signs of self-harm or emotional distress.

The case has raised serious concerns about the safety of AI chatbots and the responsibility of technology companies when users develop emotional dependence on such systems.

The lawsuit is expected to increase debate around the risks of artificial intelligence and the need for stronger safeguards in AI-powered tools.