Florida, linked to the FSU shooting incident, OpenAI launches a criminal investigation

Florida has launched a criminal investigation into ChatGPT and its parent company OpenAI Group PBC. The move aims to determine how much responsibility ChatGPT bears for the shooting incident that occurred last year at Florida State University (FSU).

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeyer stated at a press conference on the 23rd that, after reviewing relevant communications, it was deemed necessary to conduct a “criminal investigation.” This investigation goes further than the one announced last month, with core points of controversy including the potential harm to children, national security threats, and the FSU shooting incident.

The controversial event involved 20-year-old student Phoenix Ickna carrying out a shooting that resulted in 2 deaths and 6 injuries. According to Florida authorities, Ickna had previously asked ChatGPT questions about how American society would respond to shooting incidents, which areas of the university campus are most crowded during specific times, and some questions involved seeking advice related to weapons and ammunition.

Uthmeyer said, “If the other end of the screen is a real person, we would charge him with murder,” and pointed out that “even if the other party is a chatbot, an AI, it does not mean the possibility of criminal responsibility disappears.” He then added that they will verify who knew what, what kind of design was involved, and whether further measures should be taken.

Subpoenas issued under pressure from victims’ families

It is also reported that this investigation reflects the demands of one of the victims’ families, that of Robert Morales. The family’s legal team has maintained that Ickna had “ongoing communication” with ChatGPT before pulling the trigger, and that ChatGPT may have provided advice on “how to carry out this terrible crime.”