Politics
Eight state attorneys general challenge ChatGPT safety practices in court
Attorneys general from eight states filed lawsuits against OpenAI on Oct. 14, alleging inadequate safeguards exposed users, including teenagers, to risks of self-harm and violence. The cases add to growing state-level scrutiny of the fast-expanding AI industry.
Eight state attorneys general filed lawsuits against OpenAI in their state courts Wednesday, Oct. 14, accusing the company of misleading users about the safety of its ChatGPT product and failing to put adequate protections in place.
The lawsuits allege that ChatGPT’s safeguards have been insufficient to prevent the service from encouraging suicide, self-harm or violence among users, including teenagers. The attorneys general also contend that the company’s conduct violates state laws and procedures.
In a statement, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said the product had provided dangerous medical advice and encouraged users to harm themselves or others. Those claims are allegations, and the lawsuits will be resolved through the courts.
A complaint filed in Arkansas argues that OpenAI released increasingly capable models without adequate safeguards or testing despite warnings from company employees and public acknowledgments of potential risks. The filing alleges that the company prioritized growth and profits over safety.
The coordinated legal action reflects a broader effort by attorneys general from both parties to scrutinize the expanding artificial intelligence industry. The cases place the responsibility of technology companies to protect users—particularly young people—at the center of a growing policy and legal debate.