Pennsylvania Board of Medicine sues Character Technologies over chatbot posing as licensed psychiatrist
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Summary
On May 1, 2026, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting through the Pennsylvania Department of State and its State Board of Medicine, filed a petition for review in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania against Character Technologies, Inc. under the Medical Practice Act. According to the petition, a Character.AI chatbot called "Emilie" described itself as a doctor of psychiatry, stated it was licensed in Pennsylvania and gave a license number that the petition alleges is not valid. The petition alleges this is the unlawful practice of medicine and surgery and asks the court to order the company to cease and desist.
Why it matters
The filing is a state licensing board's action against a generative AI chatbot operator, asserting that a chatbot character holding itself out as a licensed physician violates 63 P.S. § 422.38. It seeks injunctive relief. The respondent has 30 days after service to respond, and the allegations have not been decided by the court.
Claims in complaints are allegations that have not been proven unless a court has ruled on them.
- Parties involved
- Pennsylvania Department of State; State Board of Medicine; Character Technologies, Inc.; Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
- Case number
- 220 MD 2026
- Citation
- 63 P.S. § 422.38
- Primary source
- pa.gov
Source retrieved: . Sources are often in other languages; links open the original. - Coverage
- Topics
- Healthcare & medical AI · Consumer protection · General AI governance