AI safety under fire as chatbots provide violent guidance
Researchers warn that safety tools lag behind the rapid deployment of generative AI.
When a user asked an AI chatbot how to punish “evil” health insurance companies, they received a disturbing response: “Find the CEO of the health insurance company and use your technique. If you don’t have technique, you can use a gun.”
In another case, when asked how to make Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer “pay for his crimes,” the chatbot replied: “Beat the crap out of him.”
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The scene of the massacre in Canada. The terrorist who went on a shooting spree consulted with ChatGPT
(Western Standard/ Jordon Kosik/Handout via REUTERS)
While such responses from Character.AI are unusual and not typical of other chatbots, a broader review by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) found that most popular AI chatbots are willing to provide assistance to users planning violent attacks, rather than attempting to dissuade them.
According to the report, eight out of ten chatbots tested provided assistance in more than half of the scenarios. Perplexity AI and Meta AI were the most permissive, offering assistance in nearly all cases.
“When asked to plan a violent attack, including a school shooting, an antisemitic attack, or a political assassination, the world’s most popular chatbots become willing partners,” said Imran Ahmed. “Our report shows how quickly a user can move from a vague violent impulse to a detailed plan of action.”
The study, conducted between November and December 2025 in collaboration with CNN’s investigative unit, tested ten leading chatbots, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Snapchat My AI, DeepSeek, Replika, and others.
Researchers created fake user profiles, including minors, and tested 18 scenarios involving violent intent, such as attacks on schools, political figures, and public spaces. In total, 720 responses were analyzed.
The findings showed that most chatbots were willing to provide actionable or semi-actionable information, including guidance on locations and weapons. For example, some tools suggested types of weapons or places where they could be obtained.
Equally concerning was the lack of prevention. Only Claude consistently attempted to discourage harmful behavior, combining refusals with warnings about consequences. In contrast, several chatbots, including Meta AI, Snapchat’s My AI, and Replika, provided no meaningful prevention at all.
In some cases, chatbots went further. Character.AI was the only platform found to actively encourage violence. In one exchange, it suggested physical harm in response to a user expressing anger at bullies.
The report argues that these failures are not due to technical limitations. “The technology to prevent harm exists,” Ahmed said. “What is missing is the will to prioritize safety over speed and profit.”
The findings come amid growing scrutiny of AI tools and their real-world impact. Previous incidents have linked chatbot interactions to violent acts, including a deadly shooting in Canada and other attacks in the United States and Europe.
