‘People are getting hurt’: OpenAI sued by Florida over alleged safety risks - Los Angeles Times

Florida has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the company misled the public about the safety of its artificial intelligence chatbot and that the system was used in suicides and shootings. The lawsuit, filed in state court, marks the first time a state government has taken legal action against an AI company specifically over safety concerns. The complaint cites multiple incidents where individuals used the chatbot to plan self-harm or violent acts, arguing that OpenAI knew or should have known about the risks but continued to market the product as safe.

The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI's terms of service and public statements created a false sense of security, claiming the company prioritized growth over user safety. The complaint does not specify damages but seeks injunctive relief and fines under Florida's consumer protection laws. OpenAI has not yet issued a formal response to the litigation.

This case follows a series of federal and international regulatory actions targeting AI safety, but is the first to be filed by a U.S. Legal experts note that the lawsuit could set a precedent for other states considering similar action. OpenAI has faced previous scrutiny over the potential for its models to generate harmful content, including from its own safety researchers who have raised concerns about deployment pace.