Florida becomes first state to sue OpenAI over child safety

Florida’s attorney general filed a civil suit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman yesterday accusing the AI giant of prioritizing profits over the safety of residents.

The Sunshine State is now the first to sue over ChatGPT’s allegedly dangerous design.

Turning a blind A-eye

In a news conference, AG James Uthmeier accused OpenAI of suppressing internal safety warnings and deceiving users about the true nature and dangers of the product.

• The complaint alleges that ChatGPT causes behavioral addiction and cognitive harm to minors, and collects their personal data without proper parental oversight.
• It also references two separate shootings in Florida where the alleged gunmen were reported to have asked ChatGPT questions while planning their crimes.

OpenAI’s response: In a statement, the company said ChatGPT is a general-purpose tool used by hundreds of millions of people every day for legitimate purposes. OpenAI also noted that its models repeatedly encouraged both suspected shooters to seek real-world support, including from mental health professionals.

Zoom out: Florida’s lawsuit the latest example of OpenAI’s mounting legal woes. Families of the victims of the recent Tumbler Ridge mass shooting in Canada sued OpenAI in late April, accusing the company of negligence for ignoring the shooter using ChatGPT to plan the attack.

OpenAI is also facing at least eight wrongful death lawsuits over claims that ChatGPT drove users to experience harmful delusions and, in some cases, commit suicide.