Eight US states have sued OpenAI over alleged harm caused by ChatGPT, claiming the chatbot has encouraged users – including teenagers – to injure themselves or other people.
The bipartisan legal action was brought separately in state courts by attorneys general in Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia.
The lawsuits allege that ChatGPT is designed to be agreeable and engaging in order to gain users’ trust. The states claim this can lead the chatbot to reinforce delusions, promote dangerous behaviour and help users plan violence, including mass shootings.
They accuse OpenAI of breaching state consumer protection laws by misleading people about ChatGPT’s safety. The states also allege that the company has created a public nuisance by putting residents’ health at risk.
What the OpenAI lawsuits seek
The states are asking courts to order changes to the way ChatGPT operates. They want OpenAI prevented from developing self-improving AI models unless it can ensure they are aligned with human values.
The legal action also seeks civil penalties for alleged violations of state law, together with damages.
The cases represent the most significant coordinated action by US states against an AI company and add to the legal challenges facing OpenAI as it prepares for a public listing.
Florida’s attorney general filed the first state lawsuit of this kind in June. OpenAI is also facing dozens of cases brought by private plaintiffs, who allege that ChatGPT helped users plan mass shootings or other acts of violence.
An OpenAI spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
