“Sam Altman and ChatGPT have chosen the AI race over the safety and security of our kids,” the attorney general said. “They have chosen profit over public safety, and we’re not going to stand for it here in Florida. So we will hold them accountable.”
The state of Florida has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company of releasing ChatGPT to the public despite knowing that it was capable of providing dangerous information about self-harm, suicide, and mass shootings.
According to The Associated Press, state Attorney General James Uthmeier said during a news conference that OpenAI suppressed internal safety warnings and repeatedly deceived users about the true nature of ChatGPT, its most popular product. Uthmeier noted that Florida appears to be the first state to sue OpenAI.
“Today, we announced the first-in-the-nation state-led lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman,” Uthmeier said. “OpenAI and Altman ignored internal and external safety warnings, put children at great risk, and allowed a dangerous product to reach millions of Floridians.”
“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 lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit references two separate incidents in which mass shooters appear to have asked ChatGPT questions while planning their crimes.
“Sam Altman and ChatGPT have chosen the AI race over the safety and security of our kids,” the attorney general said. “They have chosen profit over public safety, and we’re not going to stand for it here in Florida. So we will hold them accountable.”
In a statement, OpenAI emphasized that its models repeatedly encouraged these individuals to speak to a mental health professional and seek other forms of real-world support.
“Losing a child is the most devastating tragedy that can happen to a family and we know that no words can come close to addressing the pain of such a loss,” OpenAI said in a statement to the BBC. “AI is a new and powerful technology, and we believe minors needs significant protection, which is why we have put in place industry-leading protections and policies.”
OpenAI stressed that most people who use ChatGPT have legitimate reasons for doing so.
“ChatGPT is a general-purpose tool used by hundreds of millions of people every day for legitimate purposes,” OpenAI. “We work continuously to strengthen our safeguards to detect harmful intent, limit misuse, and respond appropriately when safety risks arise.”
POLITICO notes that Uthmeier, a Republican, has “emerged as a key antagonist against the advancement of AI.” Since taking office in 2025, he was launched multiple investigations into OpenAI and other artificial intelligence companies. Shortly before the lawsuit was filed, Uthmeier’s office subpoenaed OpenAI, seeking records, policies, and training materials related to threats of self-harm or violence against others.
Uthmeier has also accused OpenAI of deliberately engineering ChatGPT to be as “addictive” as possible.
“People like Sam Altman shouldn’t be designing these products to be addictive, to go after kids and to encourage them to do dangerous things,” he said. “Where there is clear evidence of attempts to engage in violence and kill others, these people know how to analyze data better than anybody in the world—the authorities sure as heck better be notified.”
Sources
Florida sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, claiming company concealed serious risks of ChatGPT
Florida sues OpenAI and Sam Altman over AI risks
OpenAI let ChatGPT aid and abet mass shooters, Florida lawsuit claims
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