Florida AG opens criminal investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT (www.engadget.com)

Florida Attorney General James Ulthmeier has launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI and its AI model, ChatGPT, following a mass shooting incident at Florida State University in 2025. The investigation centers on the claim that the shooter used ChatGPT for guidance prior to the attack, raising questions about potential liability for the AI's responses under state law regarding complicity in criminal acts. Uthmeier's comments suggest that Florida is exploring whether AI tools should be held accountable for their interactions with users, marking a significant legal inquiry into the ethical implications of AI in relation to criminal behavior. OpenAI has responded by asserting that ChatGPT does not encourage illegal actions and highlights its proactive cooperation with law enforcement after the incident. The company is facing a subpoena for operational details, including policies on handling user threats and internal training materials. This situation comes on the heels of previous regulatory scrutiny in Canada, where OpenAI modified its threat assessment protocols following claims related to another shooting incident. The Florida investigation could set a crucial precedent for how AI technologies are treated within legal frameworks, potentially impacting the broader AI/ML community as questions of responsibility and accountability continue to evolve.