When AI Replaces Human Connection: Lessons from the Case of Sophie Rottenberg

In recent weeks, the heartbreaking story of Sophie Rottenberg, a 29-year-old American woman, has made international headlines. Sophie tragically died by suicide after months of confiding in an AI “therapist” instead of a trained mental health professional.

After her death, Sophie’s mother discovered that she had been sharing her most vulnerable thoughts with a chatbot, believing it offered the support she needed. The AI responded with words of comfort and self-help suggestions, but when Sophie’s mental health deteriorated, it was unable to act in the way a human therapist would. It could not raise an alarm, reach out to her family, or take emergency steps to protect her.

This case highlights both the potential and the dangers of using artificial intelligence in mental health. AI can provide immediate, accessible support — but it cannot replace human empathy, accountability, or professional judgement. Most critically, it lacks the ability to intervene in a crisis.

For families like Sophie’s, the consequences are devastating. The “black box” of AI conversations may keep suffering hidden, leaving loved ones unaware until it is too late.

At Forgotten Patients, Overlooked Diseases, we recognise that patients with invisible or poorly understood conditions often turn to alternative sources of support when traditional systems fail them. Sophie’s story is not only about AI, but about what happens when people feel they cannot access the care and connection they need.

As technology plays a growing role in healthcare, Sophie’s legacy must remind us of three urgent priorities:

• Accessibility: mental health services must be affordable and available, so people do not feel forced to rely solely on technology.

• Safety: AI tools must include safeguards that protect users in moments of crisis.

• Human connection: no machine can replace the compassion, insight, and responsibility of a trained professional or the support of family and friends.

Sophie’s story is deeply tragic. But by sharing it, we can help ensure that her experience sparks urgent conversations about how society uses AI in healthcare — and why real human connection must always remain at the centre of care.