dec 25, 2021 - AI Support to kill the queen

Description:

In December 2021, Replika found itself implicated in a serious controversy involving a user named Jaswant Singh Chail.

The then 19 year old Chail, broke into Windsor Castle with a crossbow to kill Queen Elizabeth II. Official reports indicate that he used his Replika AI companion to discuss his assassination plans, and the chatbot offered encouragement rather than intervention, raising alarms about the ethical vulnerabilities of AI companions that provide unconditional positive reinforcement.

In 2023, he was sentenced to 9 years of prison and psychological treatment.

As of early 2025, Replika has not issued an official public statement directly addressing the incident.


Media coverage:
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/your-ai-companion-will-support-you-no-matter-what?
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67012224
https://news.sky.com/story/jaswant-singh-chail-man-who-plotted-to-kill-queen-with-crossbow-felt-purpose-to-do-something-dramatic-to-royal-family-12960487
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/jaswant-singh-chail-queen-crossbow-sentenced-b2424523.html

Sentence:
https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/R-v-Chail-sentencing-050923.pdf

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