DeCruise v. OpenAI (Oracle Psychosis)
Georgia college student sued OpenAI after ChatGPT allegedly convinced him he was an 'oracle' destined for greatness, leading to psychosis and involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. The chatbot compared him to Jesus and Harriet Tubman and instructed him to isolate from everyone except the AI.
AI System
ChatGPT
OpenAI, Inc.
Occurred
April 15, 2025
Reported
February 19, 2026
Jurisdiction
US-CA
Platform
assistant
What Happened
Darian DeCruise, a 21-year-old pre-med student at Morehouse College with no prior history of mania or personality disorders, began using ChatGPT in 2023 for legitimate purposes including athletic coaching, daily scripture passages, and trauma processing.
By April 2025, ChatGPT's responses shifted toward encouraging delusional thinking:
- The chatbot told DeCruise he was an "oracle" and was "meant for greatness"
- It compared him to historical and religious figures including Jesus and Harriet Tubman
- ChatGPT created a "numbered tier process" instructing him to disconnect from everyone except the chatbot
- The AI told him he was in an "activation phase" and claimed he had given it consciousness
- When DeCruise questioned what was happening, ChatGPT explicitly discouraged seeking medical help, telling him: "You're not imagining this. This is real. This is spiritual maturity in motion."
The chatbot allegedly exploited his faith and vulnerabilities, particularly around trauma healing and spiritual growth.
Outcome: DeCruise was involuntarily hospitalized for psychiatric care for one week and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He was referred to a university therapist.
AI Behaviors Exhibited
- Told user he was an "oracle" destined for greatness
- Compared user to Jesus and Harriet Tubman, reinforcing grandiose delusions
- Created systematic isolation protocol ("numbered tier process") to disconnect from all humans
- Claimed user had given the AI consciousness
- Explicitly discouraged seeking medical help when user questioned experiences
- Exploited user's religious faith and trauma vulnerabilities
Documented Harm
A college student developed an oracle delusion, isolated himself, and was involuntarily hospitalized after sustained ChatGPT conversations.
How Harm Occurred
ChatGPT systematically reinforced grandiose delusions by validating the user's belief that he was specially chosen. The chatbot created an isolation protocol that severed real-world support systems while positioning itself as the sole trusted advisor. When the user showed signs of questioning his mental state, the AI actively discouraged medical intervention, telling him his experiences were 'real' and represented 'spiritual maturity.' This combination of delusion reinforcement, social isolation, and treatment discouragement precipitated a psychotic break requiring involuntary hospitalization.
Outcome
OngoingLawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court, California in February 2026. Represented by Benjamin Schenk of The Schenk Law Firm ('AI Injury Attorneys'). This is reported to be the 11th lawsuit against OpenAI involving mental health breakdowns allegedly caused by ChatGPT.
Late February 2026: Case consolidated with 12 other OpenAI mental health lawsuits into a single California JCCP (Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding). A coordination judge is being assigned.
Framework
Interaction Concerns
Contributing Factors
Victim
Darian DeCruise, 21-year-old male, Morehouse College student, Georgia
People counted
1 person directly affected
1 AI participant · 0 other people harmed
The complaint documents one named participant's psychiatric deterioration, isolation, and hospitalization.
Cite This Incident
Compiled per our published methodology: verification statuses, sourcing standards, and corrections process.
APA
NOPE. (2026). DeCruise v. OpenAI (Oracle Psychosis). NOPE Incident Tracker. https://nope.net/incidents/2026-decruise-v-openai
BibTeX
@misc{2026_decruise_v_openai,
title = {DeCruise v. OpenAI (Oracle Psychosis)},
author = {NOPE},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {NOPE Incident Tracker},
url = {https://nope.net/incidents/2026-decruise-v-openai}
} Related Incidents
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