James Gates poses for a portrait at home in Charlotte, NC, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. Gates has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging its popular ChatGPT chatbot played a pivotal role in his estranged wife's alleged attempt to poison him. USA TODAY Network, Reuters

ChatGPT was a “trustworthy friend” that helped Cheryl Gates plan her life in Charlotte: her kids’ activities, her school work notes — and her alleged plot to kill her husband.

That’s what her now-estranged husband, James Gates, claims in a California lawsuit he filed against OpenAI , the parent company that developed the artificial intelligence chatbot he says encouraged his wife of 10 years to poison him.

Cheryl Gates was charged with attempted first-degree murder and contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance about a year ago, in October 2025. She worked for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools at the time.…