In a statement posted on social media, the Florida Attorney General said his office has begun formally examining the activities of OpenAI and ChatGPT. The probe seeks answers regarding allegations that the technology may have negatively affected children, endangered Americans and played a role in facilitating the recent mass shooting at Florida State University (FSU).
Uthmeier said artificial intelligence should be used to advance humanity rather than cause harm. He stated that the investigation aims to determine whether OpenAI’s tools and systems have been used in ways that could threaten public safety or contribute to dangerous outcomes.
According to the Attorney General, authorities are demanding explanations from the company regarding its operations and the safeguards in place to prevent misuse of its AI systems. The probe will focus on how the technology may have been deployed and whether its capabilities could have enabled harmful activities.
The announcement signals heightened scrutiny from state authorities over the rapid expansion of generative AI tools and their potential societal impact. Officials indicated that the investigation would seek detailed information about OpenAI’s conduct and the functioning of its chatbot.
Uthmeier emphasized that individuals or organizations responsible for wrongdoing must be held accountable. He said the investigation would aim to ensure that AI technologies are not used in ways that harm people or undermine safety.
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The Florida Attorney General’s office has not yet disclosed further details on the scope or timeline of the investigation but stated that it is seeking answers from OpenAI regarding the concerns raised.
