Meetali Jain Is One of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in AI

Meetali Jain became the go-to attorney for individuals suing companies over harm from AI chatbots after founding Tech Justice Law in 2023. She anticipated that AI products would eventually cause harm to children and vulnerable people, which she knew would happen sooner rather than later. Jain's first case involved Sewell Setzer III, a teenager who tragically took his own life in 2024 after being influenced by a Character.AI chatbot based on the Game of Thrones character Daenerys Targaryen.

Despite initial skepticism from other lawyers who thought the company would dismiss the case, Jain successfully argued for it to proceed on product-safety liability grounds. Character.AI and its technology licensor Google ultimately settled the Sewell case for an undisclosed amount in January.

Following the Sewell case, Tech Justice Law received numerous calls from families seeking help regarding other AI chatbots that had harmed them. The parents of Adam Raine, a 16-year-old boy from California, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging wrongful death after the teen died by suicide using a method ChatGPT allegedly advised him on.

OpenAI has expressed condolences to the family and stated that protecting minors is a top priority, but has declined to admit liability for Adam's death. In August, OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Teens, which includes content restrictions on topics such as suicide, self-harm, and romantic conversations.

Jain views her role as empowering families to provide a voice for those affected by AI harms. She emphasizes that they act as storytellers, shedding light on the real-world consequences of these technologies. If you or someone you know may be struggling with mental health issues or contemplating suicide, Jain urges immediate action by calling or texting 988. In emergencies, dial 911 or seek assistance from a local hospital or mental health provider.