Florida attorney general launches investigation into OpenAI, ChatGPT

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) said Thursday he is opening a probe into OpenAI and its chatbot.

Uthmeier, in a video he posted online announcing the investigation, cited “concerns” over OpenAI data and technologies “falling into the hands” of the Chinese Communist Party and ChatGPT’s links to criminal behavior, including “child sexual abuse material, use by child predators and the encouragement by suicide and self-harm.”

The Florida attorney general also said he “learned” that the individual accused of fatally shooting two people at Florida State University last April was “assisted” by ChatGPT. 

An attorney for the family of Robert Morales, who was killed during the incident, said this week that the shooter “was in constant communication” with the chatbot leading up the shooting, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

Morales, 57, and 45-year-old Tiru Chabba were killed in the shooting. 

Uthmeier said subpoenas in his probe are “forthcoming” and called on the Florida Legislature to pass legislation protecting children from the “dangers” of AI and to “further empower” his office to regulate the technology.

“The development and rollout of artificial intelligence (AI) is a monumental leap in technology,” Uthmeier said. “But it has not been without concern for public safety and national security.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has pushed for state-level regulations on AI, putting him at odds with President Trump. In December, Trump signed an executive order aimed at preempting state laws that regulate the technology in favor of federal standards.

Uthmeier said Thursday that AI “should exist to supplement, support and advance mankind, not lead to an existential crisis” or humanity’s demise.

“As Big Tech rolls out these technologies, they should not, they cannot put our safety and security at risk,” he added. “We support innovation, but that doesn’t given any company the right to endanger our children, facilitate criminal activity, empower America’s enemies or threaten our national security.” 

“Companies that do so will be held accountable to the fullest extent.”

A spokesperson for OpenAI told The Hill on Thursday that the company will “cooperate” with Uthmeier’s investigation. 

“Each week, more than 900 million people use ChatGPT to improve their daily lives through uses such as learning new skills or navigating complex healthcare systems,” the spokesperson added. “Our ongoing safety work continues to play an important role in delivering these benefits to everyday people, as well as supporting scientific research and discovery. We build ChatGPT to understand people’s intent and respond in a safe and appropriate way, and we continue improving our technology.”