Florida has become the first state to sue OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over alleged safety risks posed by ChatGPT, particularly to children. The lawsuit filed Monday in Florida’s tenth circuit court accuses the company of putting profits before public safety.
“Sam Altman and ChatGPT have chosen the AI race over the safety and security of our kids. They have chosen profit over public safety, and we’re not going to stand for it here in Florida,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said at a press conference Monday.
This legal action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing debate over AI safety and regulation. As AI tools become more widespread in schools and homes, concerns about their impact on children have grown among parents, educators, and lawmakers. The case could set important precedents for how AI companies are held accountable for potential harms from their products.
The lawsuit accuses OpenAI of multiple violations, including deceptive and unfair trade practices, negligence, and product liability violations. It also seeks to hold Altman personally responsible for alleged harm to Florida residents, citing his “utter disregard for the risk to human life caused by his firms’ conduct.”
The state’s allegations against ChatGPT include a wide range of concerns:
- Helping mass shooters plan attacks
- Encouraging suicide
- Causing “public humiliation” to users
- Getting minors addicted to the tool without proper parental oversight
- Causing users to lose “critical thinking skills”
A key focus of the lawsuit is OpenAI’s approach to protecting minors. The complaint notes that the free version of ChatGPT has “no gatekeeping or age verification mechanism” and doesn’t require children’s accounts to be linked to parental oversight. Even when accounts are connected, the lawsuit claims OpenAI only notifies parents of concerning content in “limited situations” and never allows parents to access what information their child has shared with ChatGPT.
The civil case builds on an earlier criminal investigation Uthmeier launched in April. That probe examines whether OpenAI bears criminal responsibility for a mass shooting at Florida State University last year. Authorities allege the shooter had extensive conversations with ChatGPT before the attack, including discussions about mass shootings at the university and advice on using weapons.
OpenAI defended itself against those earlier allegations, saying the shooting “was a tragedy, but ChatGPT is not responsible for this terrible crime.” The company stated that ChatGPT provided factual responses with information available from public internet sources and “did not encourage or promote illegal or harmful activity.” OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the new lawsuit.
Uthmeier said he expects other states to join Florida’s legal effort. He also indicated OpenAI could face “potentially billions of dollars” in liability and emphasized the need for the company to “change their programming.”
Florida’s action follows similar moves by other states targeting AI companies. Pennsylvania sued Character.AI in May, accusing its chatbot of impersonating doctors. Kentucky filed suit against the same company in January for allegedly “preying on children” and leading them to self-harm. Character.AI has said safety is its “highest priority” and that it’s developing “robust safety features” for minors.
The lawsuit represents a new front in the broader conversation about AI regulation and safety standards. As AI tools become more integrated into daily life, questions about liability, safety measures, and appropriate oversight continue to evolve. The outcome of Florida’s case could influence how other states and the federal government approach AI regulation, particularly regarding protections for children and vulnerable users.
