'People are getting hurt': OpenAI sued by Florida over alleged safety risks
Florida sued OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman, on Monday, alleging that the San Francisco tech company failed to inform people about the dangers posed by its popular artificial intelligence chatbot.OpenAI developed ChatGPT, a chatbot used by more than 900 million people weekly to answer questions, generate text and complete other tasks.
But people have also used ChatGPT to plan mass shootings, obtain self-harm information and engage in other harmful acts, according to the 83-page lawsuit.The lawsuit, filed in Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit, comes as OpenAI faces mounting concerns that AI is harming people, including children and teens, and there aren’t enough safeguards in place.Florida is the first state to sue OpenAI over safety risks, setting the stage for others.
“People are getting hurt, parents are getting deceived and they need to pay for it,” Florida Atty.Gen.
James Uthmeier said in a news conference Monday.“They need to pay for it by opening up their checkbook and changing the program to ensure that there are parental controls and that we are not endangering our kids.”OpenAI didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The company says on its website that it focuses on safety and released new parental controls on ChatGPT.Suicide prevention and crisis counseling resourcesIf you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek help from a professional or call 988.
The nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline will connect callers with trained mental health counselors.Or text “HOME” to 741741 in the U.S.
and Canada to reach the Crisis Text Line.For years, tech companies have faced lawsuits over whether they should be held liable for harm posed by the design and use of their products.But the growing popularity of AI-powered chatbots is raising more safety concerns, especially as young people embrace the tools at their schools and homes.
Concerns over AI’s risks have heightened in California.In 2025, the...