Crash Test Dummies for Chatbots: Circuit Breaker Labs Tackles AI Safety

Circuit Breaker Labs is tackling a pressing issue in AI development: chatbots that don't properly handle users in crisis. The US-based startup has created automated testing agents, dubbed 'crash test dummies,' to probe conversational AI for weaknesses.

The company's framework targets three types of failure: missing cues of suicidal ideation, misreading slang, and gradual context manipulation. To catch these issues, the framework runs both single-turn and multi-turn tests, simulating real-world conversations.

Circuit Breaker Labs' product is designed for developers working on emotional support and mental health applications. The company offers a command line interface, API access, and GitHub Actions support to integrate its testing suite into existing workflows.

Founders Shirali Nigam and Arul Nigam drew inspiration from earlier incidents where AI chatbots failed vulnerable users. As of mid-2026, Circuit Breaker Labs remains self-funded, with no reported funding rounds.