ChatGPT linked to teen murder case in Italy and job resignation in Australia

In Italy, 14‑year‑old Martina Carbonaro was murdered by her ex‑boyfriend Alessio Tucci in May 2025. During the trial, prosecutors presented screenshots of the victim’s phone showing that she had confided in ChatGPT, asking “De ce îmi este frică să‑i dau telefonul iubitului meu?” (Why am I afraid to give my boyfriend my phone?). The AI conversation was admitted as evidence, illustrating her anxiety about control, threats and a prior violent incident in which Tucci struck her.

In Australia, mother of two Jessica Barrett quit her job after weeks of discussing her return‑to‑work plans with ChatGPT. She said the chatbot’s reassuring replies, such as “You’re doing fine” and “It’s rational,” gave her a false sense of confidence and even drafted her resignation letter. Six months later she regretted the decision, noting the AI had omitted practical consequences like loss of unemployment benefits and difficulty finding new employment.