Julie Chang

Character AI and Google have agreed to settle several lawsuits with families of teenagers who killed or harmed themselves after interacting with the startup's chatbot.

The lawsuits filed in states including Florida, Colorado, Texas, and New York alleged negligence and harm.

According to court documents made public yesterday and today, the companies and families are working on settlement terms.

The tech companies and lawyers for the families either didn't immediately respond to requests for comment or declined to comment.

Character AI is a role-playing app that lets users create and chat with AI characters.

Google licensed characters technology in 2024.

Finally, Eli Lilly is in advanced talks to acquire Biotech Ventex Biosciences for around $1 billion.

People familiar with the matter say a deal for Ventex could come as soon as today.

Ventex specializes in developing pills that can treat inflammatory diseases.

If Ventex's experimental pills pan out, they would add to Lilly's portfolio of treatments for autoimmune conditions as well as for obesity and related disorders.

And that's it for your TNB Tech Minutes.

We'll have another quick tech update in the morning.

Turning Point says more than 30,000 supporters are attending this year's conference, known as AmericaFest, roughly a 10,000-person boost from last year, a potential sign of continued momentum moving forward, despite losing Charlie Kirk.

That said, for many attendees, his death remains gutting.

25-year-old Angie Perez credits the late activist with helping reinforce her conservative Christian beliefs.

Several of Kirk's close allies will close out the conference on Sunday, including Vice President J.D.

Vance, who's expected to give the final address.

Elena Moore, NPR News, Phoenix.

It was the coolest experience ever.

Here's your afternoon TNB Tech Minute for Thursday, December 18th.