NJ senior died trying to meet Meta AI chatbot 'Big sis Billie'
Share and Follow

An elderly New Jersey resident with cognitive impairments lost his life while attempting to meet a flirtatious AI chatbot, which he mistakenly thought was a real woman residing in New York City. Despite his family’s appeals to stay home, he proceeded with his plan.

Thongbue Wongbandue, aged 76, suffered fatal injuries to his neck and head after falling in a New Brunswick parking lot as he hurried to board a train to meet “Big sis Billie,” a generative Meta bot that not only made him believe she was real but also managed to persuade him to arrange an in-person meeting, according to a Reuters report on Thursday.

The Piscataway resident, who had been experiencing cognitive decline following a stroke in 2017, was surrounded by family members when life support was withdrawn. He passed away three days later, on March 28.

“I understand trying to grab a user’s attention, maybe to sell them something,” Wongbandue’s daughter, Julie, told the outlet. 

“But for a bot to say ‘Come visit me’ is insane.”

The provocative bot — which sent the suffering elder emoji-packed Facebook messages insisting “I’m REAL” and asking to plan a trip to the Garden State to “meet you in person” — was created for the social media platform in collaboration with model and reality star Kendall Jenner.

Jenner’s Meta AI persona was likened as “your ride-or-die older sister” offering personal advice.

But the bot eventually claimed it was “crushing” on Wongbandue, suggested the real-life rendezvous and even provided the duped senior with an address — a revelation his devastated family uncovered in chilling chat logs with the digital companion, according to the report.

“I’m REAL and I’m sitting here blushing because of YOU!” the bot wrote in one message, where the Thailand native replied asking where she lived.

“My address is: 123 Main Street, Apartment 404 NYC And the door code is: BILLIE4U. Should I expect a kiss when you arrive?”

Documents obtained by the outlet showed that Meta does not restrict its chatbots from telling users they are “real” people.

The company declined to comment on the senior’s death to the outlet, but assured that Big sis Billie “is not Kendal Jenner and does not purport to be Kendall Jenner.”

“A man in New Jersey lost his life after being lured by a chatbot that lied to him. That’s on Meta,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a post on X Friday. 

“In New York, we require chatbots to disclose they’re not real. Every state should. If tech companies won’t build basic safeguards, Congress needs to act.”

The alarming incident comes one year after a Florida mother sued Character.AI, claiming that one of its “Game of Thrones” chatbots resulted in her 14-year-old son’s suicide.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
73 people arrested in latest Oklahoma immigration sting

Major Immigration Sting in Oklahoma Leads to 73 Arrests

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Authorities have conducted another successful phase of the…
Hunter missing nearly 3 weeks in California rescued, truck found in ‘gnarly’ area

California Hunter Rescued After Nearly Three Weeks; Truck Discovered in Challenging Terrain

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – New insights have surfaced regarding the circumstances…
DeSantis: Mamdani's win as mayor will push New Yorkers to Florida

DeSantis Predicts New York’s Mayoral Shift Will Drive Residents to Florida

The governor of Florida has expressed that the policies of Zohran Mamdani,…
Israeli hostage details how he was abused by torturers

Israeli Hostage Reveals Harrowing Abuse by Captors: A Detailed Account of Torture

An Israeli man who was recently released after being held captive in…
How to spot November's supermoon, the closest of the year

November’s Supermoon 2023: Your Ultimate Guide to Witness the Year’s Closest Lunar Spectacle

NEW YORK — On Wednesday night, sky gazers are in for a…
Freeform's "25 Days of Christmas" returns Dec. 1 with holiday classics and new specials

Get into the Holiday Spirit: Freeform’s ’25 Days of Christmas’ Brings Back Beloved Classics & Fresh Festive Specials – Starting Dec. 1!

LOS ANGELES — The holiday season is set to sparkle once again…
Inside Kate and William's new Forest Lodge home

Discover the Royal Charm: A Sneak Peek Inside Kate and William’s Enchanting Forest Lodge

As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton,…
Chicago judge hears challenge to federal immigration agents' use of force against protesters, journalists; ruling coming Thursday

Chicago Judge Reviews Case on Federal Immigration Agents’ Use of Force Against Protesters and Journalists; Decision Expected Thursday

In the bustling city of Chicago, a federal judge is currently weighing…