ChatGPT Accused of Fault in Another School Shooting

The family of a man killed in last year's mass shooting at Florida State University plans to take OpenAI and ChatGPT to court, alleging the chatbot helped the suspected gunman plan the attack. Attorneys for Robert Morales' relatives say they learned the suspected shooter was in "constant communication" with ChatGPT beforehand and now "have reason to believe that ChatGPT may have advised the shooter how to commit these heinous crimes," per WCTV. Morales, 57, a former high school football coach who managed FSU's dining program, was one of two people fatally shot; six others were wounded. The suspect's trial is scheduled for October.

The anticipated lawsuit adds to a growing wave of litigation arguing AI chatbots played a role in deaths. Other suits accuse OpenAI of aiding a deadly Canadian school shooting and a murder-suicide. In response to questions about the FSU case, OpenAI said it identified an account believed to belong to the suspect and has turned over information to authorities, per the Guardian. It said it continues to refine safeguards to ensure ChatGPT responds "in a safe and appropriate way." GOP Rep. Jimmy Patronis of Florida says the pending lawsuit "should raise serious red flags" about how Big Tech has been allowed to "profit from dangerous content with zero accountability, while victims are left with nowhere to turn."