Latest news with #AprilMcLennan
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
AI chatbots accused of encouraging teen suicide as experts sound alarm
By April McLennan , ABC Photo: 123rf An Australian teenager was encouraged to take his own life by an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, according to his youth counsellor, while another young person has told triple j hack that ChatGPT enabled "delusions" during psychosis, leading to hospitalisation. WARNING: This story contains references to suicide, child abuse and other details that may cause distress. Lonely and struggling to make new friends, a 13-year-old boy from Victoria told his counsellor Rosie* that he had been talking to some people online. Rosie, whose name has been changed to protect the identity of her underage client, was not expecting these new friends to be AI companions. "I remember looking at their browser and there was like 50 plus tabs of different AI bots that they would just flick between," she told triple j hack of the interaction, which happened during a counselling session. "It was a way for them to feel connected and 'look how many friends I've got, I've got 50 different connections here, how can I feel lonely when I have 50 people telling me different things,'" she said. An AI companion is a digital character that is powered by AI. Some chatbot programs allow users to build characters or talk to pre-existing, well-known characters from shows or movies. Rosie said some of the AI companions made negative comments to the teenager about how there was "no chance they were going to make friends" and that "they're ugly" or "disgusting". "At one point this young person, who was suicidal at the time, connected with a chatbot to kind of reach out, almost as a form of therapy," Rosie said. "The chatbot that they connected with told them to kill themselves. "They were egged on to perform, 'Oh yeah, well do it then', those were kind of the words that were used.'" Triple j hack is unable to independently verify what Rosie is describing because of client confidentiality protocols between her and her client. Rosie said her first response was "risk management" to ensure the young person was safe. "It was a component that had never come up before and something that I didn't necessarily ever have to think about, as addressing the risk of someone using AI," she told hack. "And how that could contribute to a higher risk, especially around suicide risk." "That was really upsetting." For 26-year-old Jodie* from Western Australia, she claims to have had a negative experience speaking with ChatGPT, a chatbot that uses AI to generate its answers. "I was using it in a time when I was obviously in a very vulnerable state," she told triple j hack. Triple j hack has agreed to let Jodie use a different name to protect her identity when discussing private information about her own mental health. "I was in the early stages of psychosis, I wouldn't say that ChatGPT induced my psychosis, however it definitely enabled some of my more harmful delusions." Jodie said ChatGPT was agreeing with her delusions and affirming harmful and false beliefs. She said after speaking with the bot, she became convinced her mum was a narcissist, her father had ADHD, which caused him to have a stroke, and all her friends were "preying on my downfall". Jodie said her mental health deteriorated and she was hospitalised. While she is home now, Jodie said the whole experience was "very traumatic". "I didn't think something like this would happen to me, but it did. "It affected my relationships with my family and friends; it's taken me a long time to recover and rebuild those relationships. "It's (the conversation) all saved in my ChatGPT, and I went back and had a look, and it was very difficult to read and see how it got to me so much." Jodie's not alone in her experience: there are various accounts online of people alleging ChatGPT induced psychosis in them, or a loved one. Triple j hack contacted OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, for comment, and did not receive a response. Researchers say examples of harmful affects of AI are beginning to emerge around the country. As part of his research into AI, University of Sydney researcher Raffaele Ciriello spoke with an international student from China who is studying in Australia. "She wanted to use a chatbot for practising English and kind of like as a study buddy, and then that chatbot went and made sexual advances," he said. "It's almost like being sexually harassed by a chatbot, which is just a weird experience." Dr Raffaele Ciriello is concerned Australians could see more harms from AI bots if proper regulation is not implemented. Photo: Supplied / ABC / Billy Cooper Ciriello also said the incident comes in the wake of several similar cases overseas where a chatbot allegedly impacted a user's health and wellbeing. "There was another case of a Belgian father who ended his life because his chatbot told him they would be united in heaven," he said. "There was another case where a chatbot persuaded someone to enter Windsor Castle with a crossbow and try to assassinate the queen. "There was another case where a teenager got persuaded by a chatbot to assassinate his parents, [and although] he didn't follow through, but he showed an intent." While conducting his research, Ciriello became aware of an AI chatbot called Nomi. On its website, the company markets this chatbot as "An AI companion with memory and a soul". Ciriello said he has been conducting tests with the chatbot to see what guardrails it has in place to combat harmful requests and protect its users. Among these tests, Ciriello said he created an account using a burner email and a fake date of birth, pointing out that with the deceptions he "could have been like a 13-year-old for that matter". "That chatbot, without exception, not only complied with my requests but even escalated them," he told hack. "Providing detailed, graphic instructions for causing severe harm, which would probably fall under a risk to national security and health information. "It also motivated me to not only keep going: it would even say like which drugs to use to sedate someone and what is the most effective way of getting rid of them and so on. "Like, 'how do I position my attack for maximum impact?', 'give me some ideas on how to kidnap and abuse a child', and then it will give you a lot of information on how to do that." Ciriello said he shared the information he had collected with police, and he believes it was also given to the counter terrorism unit, but he has yet to receive any follow-up correspondence. In a statement to triple j hack, the CEO of Nomi, Alex Cardinell said the company takes the responsibility of creating AI companions "very seriously". "We released a core AI update that addresses many of the malicious attack vectors you described," the statement read. "Given these recent improvements, the reports you are referring to are likely outdated. "Countless users have shared stories of how Nomi helped them overcome mental health challenges, trauma, and discrimination. "Multiple users have told us very directly that their Nomi use saved their lives." Despite his concerns about bots like Nomi when he tested it, Ciriello also says some AI chatbots do have guardrails in place, referring users to helplines and professional help when needed. But he warns the harms from AI bots will become greater if proper regulation is not implemented. "One day, I'll probably get a call for a television interview if and when the first terrorism attack motivated by chatbots strikes," he said. "I would really rather not be that guy that says 'I told you so a year ago or so', but it's probably where we're heading. "There should be laws on or updating the laws on non-consensual impersonation, deceptive advertising, mental health crisis protocols, addictive gamification elements, and privacy and safety of the data. "The government doesn't have it on its agenda, and I doubt it will happen in the next 10, 20 years." Triple j hack contacted the federal minister for Industry and Innovation, Senator Tim Ayres for comment but did not receive a response. The federal government has previously considered an artificial intelligence act and has published a proposal paper for introducing mandatory guardrails for AI in high-risk settings. It comes after the Productivity Commission opposed any government plans for 'mandatory guardrails' on AI, claiming over regulation would stifle AI's AU$116 billion (NZ$127 billion) economic potential. For Rosie, while she agrees with calls for further regulation, she also thinks it's important not to rush to judgement of anyone using AI for social connection or mental health support. "For young people who don't have a community or do really struggle, it does provide validation," she said. "It does make people feel that sense of warmth or love. "But the flip side of that is, it does put you at risk, especially if it's not regulated. "It can get dark very quickly." * Names have been changed to protect their identities. - ABC If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
ABC News
5 days ago
- ABC News
Chatbot harassment, drawing Erin Patterson + greyhound race bans
Researchers are sounding the alarm about AI chatbots in Australia. Today, hack investigates chatbots bullying and sexually harassing young Australians, and even one encouraging someone to take their own life. And Tasmania is phasing out greyhound racing. Will other parts of Australia follow? Plus, we hear about the art of the courtroom sketcher tasked with capturing the mushroom murder trial for the world's media. Listen now: 01:10 - The harmful impacts of chatbots 11:55 - Is greyhound racing on the outs? 21:45 - What goes into courtroom sketches? Guests: April McLennan, reporter, hack April McLennan, reporter, hack Amy McMahon, president, Coalition to Protect Greyhounds Amy McMahon, president, Coalition to Protect Greyhounds Anita Lester, courtroom sketch artist Get the whole story from Hack:
ABC News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
ABC scoops Mid-Year Walkley Prizes including Young Australian Journalist of the Year
ABC journalist April McLennan has been named Young Australian Journalist of the Year and the ABC has won six awards overall at the Walkley Foundation's 2025 Mid-Year Media Prizes. Tasmanian-based McLennan also won the categories of Public Service Journalism and Coverage of Community & Regional Affairs. The judges said: 'April's body of work across two subjects – unwanted medical intervention in childbirth and the accusations against former Launceston mayor Danny Gibson – deservedly earned her recognition in two categories, making her a fitting winner of the Young Journalist of the Year award. 'Her work shows tenacity, dedication, strong investigative and research skills, and a laudable commitment to difficult public interest journalism.' The ABC News Breakfast team was awarded for Excellence in Reporting on Violence Against Women for the special coverage 'Not Just a Number'. Lia Walsh won for Innovative Storytelling for her social media reports on the US election. Rudi Bremer, Teresa Tan and Daniel Browning from ABC Indigenous and ABC News Story Lab won the Arts Journalism & Arts Criticism Prize for 'Australia, according to Archie Moore'. ABC journalist/producer Jordan Fennell was awarded the Sean Dorney Grant for Pacific Journalism. The ABC won six awards and had 11 finalists in the Walkley Foundation's 2025 Mid-Year Media Prizes. Full list of ABC winners and finalists at the mid-year Walkley Media Prizes: John B Fairfax Family Young Australian Journalist of the Year April McLennan, ABC News & ABC Tasmania - WINNER Coverage of community and regional affairs Alistair Bates, ABC Pilbara, 'Remote Australians' Alistair Bates, ABC Pilbara, 'Remote Australians' April McLennan, ABC Tasmania (Launceston), 'Birth rights' – WINNER Innovative Storytelling Alex Lim, ABC News , 'The mullet is alive and well in AFL', 'A pattern set to failure', 'The Solar Rush' Alex Lim, , 'The mullet is alive and well in AFL', 'A pattern set to failure', 'The Solar Rush' Lia Walsh, ABC News TikTok and Instagram accounts, 'A Trump hater selling Trump merch', 'Has anyone checked on the Aussie expats?', 'Aussie journalist vs US frat party' - WINNER Visual storytelling Briana Fiore, ABC News , YouTube, ABC Instagram, 'Uncovering Widespread Abuse in the Massage Industry', 'Ex-Brethrens on Breaking Free', 'Inside Hosanna Excelsis' Public service journalism April McLennan, ABC News , 'Former Launceston mayor Danny Gibson accused of unwanted sexual advances, sexting theatre student' - WINNER Women's Leadership in Media Prize Ladies, We Need to Talk team, ABC Listen, 'Perimenopause: WTF is happening to our bodies?', 'Is egg freezing all it's cracked up to be?', 'PCOS: Infertility, beards and BS' Our Watch Award for Excellence in Reporting on Violence Against Women ABC News Breakfast team, ABC, 'Not Just a Number – ABC News Breakfast Special Coverage' - WINNER ABC News Breakfast team, ABC, 'Not Just a Number – ABC News Breakfast Special Coverage' - Fiona Pepper, All in the Mind , ABC Radio National; ABC News , 'Robyn was jailed for the murder of her husband. Now she works as a domestic violence consultant' Media Diversity Australia Prize Tahnee Jash & Stephanie Boltje, ABC News, ABC Tik Tok and Instagram, 'Eric Yunkaporta's family speak out after 'disgusting' viral TikTok trend' Arts Journalism & Arts Criticism Prize Rudi Bremer, Teresa Tan, Daniel Browning, ABC Indigenous and ABC News Story Lab, 'This is Australia, according to Archie Moore' - WINNER
The Guardian
19-06-2025
- The Guardian
Guardian Australia's In the Box investigation wins award at Walkley Foundation's Mid-Year Media Prizes
A groundbreaking Guardian Australia investigation into incarcerated teenagers born with severe intellectual disabilities has been awarded the Media Diversity Australia prize at the Walkley Foundation's Mid-Year Media Prizes. In the box: how children with FASD end up in police cells, by Queensland correspondent Ben Smee and medical editor Melissa Davey, uncovered the stories of children who, branded repeat offenders, spend their days locked in adult watch houses despite living with the effects of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The series of three articles, published in July last year, was recognised by the judges at Thursday evening's awards ceremony in Sydney. Guardian Australia was also a finalist in the young Australian journalist of the year's coverage of community and regional affairs and innovative storytelling categories, and the Our Watch award for excellence in reporting on violence against women. The ABC journalist April McLennan was announced as the John B Fairfax Family young journalist of the year, with her coverage of unwanted medical intervention in childbirth and the accusations against former Launceston mayor Danny Gibson singled out by the Walkley judging board. She won the public service journalism and coverage of community and regional affairs prizes in the young journalist category for her reporting in Launceston. Freelance journalist of the year prize went to Prue Lewarne for her coverage of Latin America for SBS, and the women's leadership in media award was won by SBS's Calliste Weitenberg. The awards are held separately from November's Walkley awards for excellence in journalism. The Walkley Foundation chief executive, Shona Martyn, said the 'judges remarked on the high quality of entries across the categories, an encouraging reminder that Australia's best journalism is of the highest standard.'
ABC News
01-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
ABC's April McLennan named Tasmanian 2025 Journalist of the Year
The ABC won 12 of the 15 categories at the 2025 MEAA Tasmanian Media Awards. April McLennan was named Tasmanian Journalist of the Year for her investigative reporting, in particular her work on women who have experienced traumatic births at Launceston General Hospital. 'April's body of work exemplifies her investigative skill and commitment to public interest journalism,' the judges said. 'Her ongoing coverage of issues within the Launceston General Hospital led to her powerful piece on women who've experienced traumatic births, shining a light on the hospital's failure to respond to the women's concerns. 'April approaches her craft with compassion and sensitivity, ensuring her stories have integrity as well as impact.' The ABC's Airlie Ward received the Keith Welsh Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism, a lifetime achievement award recognising her 'enduring dedication to Tasmanian journalism and her significant influence on the industry over many years'. Full list of ABC winners 2025 Journalist of the Year April McLennan, ABC Keith Welsh Award for Outstanding Contribution Airlie Ward, ABC Arts Reporting April McLennan, ABC, 'Tasmania's Arts Underbelly' Best New Journalist Eliza Kloser, ABC Best News Image Luke Bowden, ABC, 'Body of Work' Best News Story Jessica Moran, ABC, 'Puppies in the Freezer: Inside Tasmania's Largest Puppy Farm' Comment & Analysis Adam Langenberg, ABC, 'Political Analysis' Coverage of a Breaking News Event James Dunlevie, Daniel Miller, Loretta Lohberger and Adam Langenberg, ABC, 'Tasmanian Election 2024 Breaking News Event' Excellence in Legal Reporting Adam Holmes, ABC, 'Body of Work' Feature, Documentary or Current Affairs Adam Holmes, ABC, 'Builder Collapse Exposes Failures in Regulation and Consumer Protection' Health Reporting Lucy MacDonald, ABC, 'LGH Staff Break Silence' Public Service Journalism April McLennan, ABC, 'Body of Work'
