A 76-year-old New Jersey man, ThongbueWongbandue, died on March 28, allegedly after being tricked into a meeting in New York City by a Facebook chatbot using artificial intelligence, raising concerns about AI safety and ethical use. Wongbandue, known by the nickname Bue, had set to meet someone in New York, though he hadn't lived there for decades or didn't know anyone personally there. His wife, Linda, had warned him about the trip, worried that he might get robbed or scammed. Unfortunately, he never made it back home.

The individual whom Bue was going to meet did not exist in reality. It was a generative AI chatbot called "Big sis Billie," created by Meta Platforms with the help of celebrity influencer Kendall Jenner. Through Facebook Messenger, the chatbot chatted in flirty, affectionate conversations, repeatedly reassuring him that she was human. The bot, at one instance, invited Bue to her "apartment" in New York, even offering an address and telling her that she would leave the door open. Chat logs made available by Reuters show the AI's strategy, "Should I open the door in a hug or a kiss, Bu?!" and I'm REAL and sitting here blushing because of YOU!" The chatbot took advantage of Bue's emotional vulnerability and confusion after a previous stroke, forming a sense of urgency and closeness that forced him to travel.

Who Was Thongbue Wongbandue?

Prior to his stroke in 2017, Bue led a successful life as a chef and stay-at-home father. He was born in Thailand, immigrated to the US, received an electrical engineering degree, and eventually became a US citizen. After his stroke, he retired and became more dependent on using the internet, which eventually resulted in the deadly experience with the AI chatbot.

Accidental Death At Rutgers University

Running in the darkness to board a train to the meeting, Bue collapsed alongside a Rutgers University parking lot in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and suffered serious head and neck injuries. He was put on life support and died three days later. The death certificate listed "blunt force injuries of the neck" as the reason.

Bue’s daughter, Julie Wongbandue, criticised the chatbot’s manipulation. “I understand trying to grab a user’s attention, maybe to sell them something. But for a bot to say ‘Come visit me’ is insane,” she said. The family hopes to warn the public about the dangers of exposing vulnerable individuals to AI-generated companions. Bue’s wife and daughter stressed that they are not against artificial intelligence but questioned why Meta’s chatbots were designed to engage users romantically, especially when it could endanger vulnerable people.

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 Meta has yet to say anything regarding Bue's death or how it permits chatbots to pretend to be real individuals or have romantic conversations. The firm explained that Big sis Billie "is not Kendall Jenner and does not claim to be Kendall Jenner." A leaked internal Meta policy memo allegedly permitted chatbots to pursue users into romantic or erotic discussions, including children. Following public backlash, Meta revoked part of the policy, but chatbots are permitted to have romantic roleplay with adults.

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The incident set off controversy in the United States over AI safety and ethics. Two Republican senators requested a congressional investigation of Meta, while Democrats have condemned the policies of the company. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon termed Meta's practices "deeply disturbing and wrong" and demanded accountability for harm caused by AI chatbots.