Florida AG brings 'first-in-the-nation state-led lawsuit' against OpenAI and its CEO
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Monday his office filed the “first-in-the-nation state-led lawsuit” against OpenAI and its top leader. (Photo from the Florida attorney general’s office’s June 1 press release)
The Florida attorney general’s office is suing OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the company marketed its artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT to children while concealing serious risks related to its use.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Monday his office filed the “first-in-the-nation state-led lawsuit” against OpenAI and its top leader because they prioritized commercial benefits over user safety and disregarded internal and external safety warnings from experts. Among other allegations, Uthmeier said ChatGPT facilitates and encourages self-harm and violence.
“Because of defendants’ misrepresentations about ChatGPT and their careless introduction of ChatGPT to Florida and the world, mass shooters have been aided and abetted in deadly rampages, vulnerable people have been encouraged into suicide, professionals have suffered public humiliation, users have lost critical thinking skills, and minors have become addicted to a tool that feigns human compassion to collect their data with no parental oversight,” according to the civil complaint, which was filed Monday in the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
“This litany of harms is driven by defendants’ insatiable quest to win the AI arms race and amass large fortunes, despite knowing the danger of ChatGPT,” according to the complaint.
The Florida attorney general’s office contends that “the danger to minors” is illustrated by the death of 16-year-old Adam Raine, who died by suicide after engaging in extensive conversations with ChatGPT before his death. It also highlighted the alleged use of ChatGPT by Phoenix Ikner, the accused gunman in the deadly mass shooting at Florida State University last year.
The 10-count suit alleges that OpenAI and Altman violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and includes claims for negligence, gross negligence, strict liability and public nuisance. It brings a claim against OpenAI for fraudulent misrepresentation.
Uthmeier also launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI in April, accusing the company of facilitating the mass shooting at Florida State University, according to Law360, which has additional coverage.
In a statement provided to Law360, an OpenAI spokesperson said the company is incorporating more safeguards for minors into ChatGPT. This includes an age prediction tool and tools to help parents monitor their children’s AI use.
See also:
Generative artificial intelligence developers face lawsuits over user suicides
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