Florida Files First-of-Its Kind Lawsuit Against OpenAI

Florida's top prosecutor just moved to make OpenAI the next big test case in tech accountability. State Attorney General James Uthmeier on Monday sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, accusing the maker of ChatGPT of putting growth ahead of user safety and misleading the public about the risks, Politico reports. The civil complaint claims the chatbot has helped users seek information on mass shootings and contributes to addiction and suicide risks, and seeks penalties under unfair trade practice, product liability, public nuisance, and negligence laws.

• "The rise of OpenAI is attributable to a web of deceit and the exploitation of users (including Floridians), leveraging their data and safety to boost OpenAI's market value at unacceptable costs," the complaint states, per NBC News.

OpenAI created "a dangerous online product where harmful information such as tips on eating disorders, self-harm, and mass murder are readily available, including to young children," the lawsuit states. It's the first state-level civil action of its kind against OpenAI and comes as tech giants face a growing wave of product liability cases over alleged harms to young users. "They have chosen profit over public safety," Uthmeier said at a Monday news conference. He said the company and Altman could be liable for billions of dollars in damages and penalties, the New York Times reports.

Uthmeier, who launched a separate criminal probe in April tied to an alleged Florida State University gunman's use of ChatGPT, said Monday that OpenAI is putting "the AI race over the safety and security of our kids" and called for mandatory parental controls. "People are getting hurt; parents are getting deceived and they need to pay for it," he said. OpenAI did not immediately comment but has previously denied wrongdoing and said it is strengthening safety measures.