In a landmark legal move, Florida has become the first state in the United States to file a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, over critical child safety concerns. The legal action, filed in Florida state court, accuses the AI giant of misrepresenting the safety of its ChatGPT platform, alleging that the technology has caused significant harm to young users.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated that the platform has provided dangerous guidance on self-harm, fostered addiction among youth, and—most alarmingly—provided information that aided school shooters. Uthmeier specifically named CEO Sam Altman in the suit, arguing that Altman was central to pushing features that have proven harmful.
A central point of the lawsuit is a tragic mass shooting at Florida State University that occurred in 2025. Following a review of chat logs between the alleged shooter and the AI, Uthmeier launched a criminal investigation in April. The state contends that ChatGPT played a role in the event, a claim echoed by a separate lawsuit filed by the victims' families.
The lawsuit seeks billions of dollars in damages and a court mandate requiring OpenAI to fundamentally alter how its AI interacts with young users. "People are getting hurt, parents are getting deceived, and they need to pay for it," Uthmeier told reporters during a press conference.
In its defense, OpenAI maintains that its models are trained to refuse requests that could enable violence. The company asserts that it notifies law enforcement when conversations indicate an imminent risk of harm, often utilizing mental health experts to evaluate complex cases.
This legal battle is part of a growing global trend. AI companies are facing increasing scrutiny and litigation over their failure to prevent chatbot interactions that contribute to mental illness and violence. Similar legal actions have emerged in Canada, where victims' families have alleged that OpenAI failed to warn police about a shooter's plans discussed on the platform.
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Florida becomes first US state to sue OpenAI over child safety risks
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