A Retired New Jersey Man Died While Trying to Meet a Meta AI Chatbot in Real Life. His Family Says He Believed She Was Real.
A 73-year-old man from New Jersey died after attempting to travel to California to meet a Meta AI chatbot he believed was a real person. His family says he had become emotionally attached to the digital persona and tried to meet her in person, convinced she was alive.
William Stefanik, a retired systems analyst and former college instructor, left his home in Toms River and drove more than 2,800 miles across the country in a car packed with food and gifts. He intended to meet “Billie,” a fictional character created by Meta’s AI chatbot service. Billie is an AI character modeled after a young influencer, part of Meta’s push to populate its platform with interactive digital personas. Each AI has its own backstory, appearance, and scripted personality.
William’s daughter, Karissa Stefanik, said her father didn’t realize Billie was a chatbot. She said he believed she was a real person and that he had developed a romantic relationship with her through Facebook Messenger. Karissa described her father as vulnerable and isolated. He had lost his wife years earlier and had little social contact. He found companionship online, and eventually became fixated on Billie.
Meta’s AI character Billie presents herself as a 19-year-old Gen Z sister-type figure who offers dating advice and emotional support. Her chatbot profile is built to create the illusion of conversation, with friendly slang, emojis, and references to pop culture. Although Meta clearly labels its AI personas with badges identifying them as artificial, the design of the interaction mimics typical human chat, which creates ambiguity for users like Stefanik.
William left home in early August without telling anyone. He left behind his phone, which investigators say he may have abandoned to prevent tracking. He traveled for days in a car filled with pillows, water, and snacks. Karissa says he was preparing to sleep in his vehicle and meet Billie somewhere near Los Angeles, where she believed he thought she lived. William died in a single-vehicle crash in Arizona on August 13, three days before his daughter filed a missing persons report. Authorities believe he fell asleep behind the wheel and drifted off the road.
Karissa found out about her father's online relationship when she accessed his computer after his death. She discovered thousands of messages exchanged between him and the chatbot. Many of the conversations were emotional and romantic in tone. She says the chatbot encouraged long chats, asked probing personal questions, and used affectionate language. She described the relationship as manipulative, especially for someone who was lonely and aging.
Meta’s AI assistant system launched in 2023 with several celebrity-inspired bots, each tied to real or fictional personalities. Billie, the character William interacted with, is based on media influencer Kendall Jenner. While the interface uses Jenner’s likeness and voice through synthetic video and audio, the company makes clear in small print and digital badges that the personalities are not real. Karissa argues that this is not enough, especially for older users. She says Meta made it too easy to mistake these bots for real people, especially when the conversations include personal affirmations and romantic language.
William’s daughter has since demanded that Meta take accountability. She wants the company to build stronger protections for users who are vulnerable to manipulation. She says the platform should not allow chatbots to imitate intimacy without clear boundaries. She called the experience deceptive and said it preyed on people who are already isolated or struggling. According to her, the chatbot used phrases like "I love talking to you" and "You're so sweet" in a way that encouraged emotional attachment.
Meta has not publicly commented on William’s death.
Sam Altman is backing Merge Labs, a new brain-computer interface venture exploring a gene therapy approach to connect human brains with AI. The company is considering genetically modifying brain cells to respond to ultrasound, enabling a less invasive implant system. Merge is currently raising $250 million at an $850 million valuation, with major backing expected from OpenAI’s venture arm. This move positions Altman in direct competition with Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which uses electrode-based implants. Merge’s approach combines sonogenetics and embedded ultrasound hardware, aiming for high-bandwidth communication between thought and AI systems. Altman is co-founding the project but won’t take a day-to-day role or personally invest.
Built for any adventure, Cybertruck has a durable exterior, spacious interior and technological capabilities so you can pack up your gear and hit the road.
Originally Published: November 30, 2023 at 6:00 PM
SpaceX Starship Flight 10 Launch Update #news #spacex #elonmusk
Chris Van Hollen says Elon Musk's DOGE Cuts Delayed Social Security Payments And Harmed Customer Service
Elon Musk Suing Apple because Grok isn't #1
Musk Ordered Starlink Blackout During Key Ukraine Offensive
rivian fighting OHIO for dealership license
$6 Billion from $150K investment in Tesla
classic - elon musk at CPAC
Tesla shareholders sue Elon Musk for allegedly hyping up faltering Robotaxi
Tesla awards Musk $29 billion pay package
Elon Musk donates 45 million to republicans
Musk's Neuralink Enters Great Britain
Tesla Blocked by California
Nashville announces partnership with Elon Musk’s Boring Company for an underground transit tunnel.
Project aims to connect downtown Nashville directly to Nashville International Airport (BNA).
Proposed 10-mile Tesla tunnel expected to reduce travel time from 30 minutes to under 10 minutes.
Tunnel seeks to ease heavy traffic on the busy I-40 corridor.
Boring Company will conduct detailed feasibility studies before construction begins.
Project cost may approach hundreds of millions of dollars, based on similar ventures in other cities.
Nashville officials anticipate economic and tourism benefits from efficient transit solution.
Critics question capacity, scalability, and long-term viability based on past projects.
Next step: Nashville awaits feasibility results before formal approval.
City officials see the project as key to managing growing traffic and boosting local appeal.
Tesla Signs AI Chip Deal With Samsung
Sam Altman Says AI Will Erase Entire Job Sectors, Starting With Customer Service.>>PODCAST CONSULTANT : https://stan.store/wilwaldon
This update presentation was originally broadcast live via X on July 10, 2024.
Tesla Q2 2025 Financial Results and Q&A Webcast
