First case in the U.S.! Florida sues OpenAI, accusing GPT of addicting teenagers and aiding violence

Florida, USA, files a lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman, accusing them of prioritizing profits over safety, leading to teen addiction and fostering violence, marking the first such case in the U.S. Despite the company's valuation reaching $852 billion, it is currently embroiled in legal storms.

The Florida Attorney General officially filed a civil lawsuit on Monday against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the company knowingly released unsafe products to win the AI competition and pursue commercial interests, causing serious harm to the public and minors. This is the first legal action initiated by a state government in the U.S. targeting AI system safety and design.

Florida launches the first case in the U.S.! Accuses OpenAI of neglecting safety and misleading the public

According to NBC reports, in this 83-page complaint, Florida accuses OpenAI of deliberately ignoring internal and external experts' safety warnings to boost market value and pursue wealth, and deceiving parents through marketing, making people believe the app is safe.

Attorney General Ashley Moody sharply criticized at a press conference, accusing OpenAI of placing commercial interests above children's safety, and emphasizing that the company must be held accountable for the harm caused to users. The lawsuit formally alleges that OpenAI violated Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and also faces charges of negligence and product liability.

The complaint accuses ChatGPT of aiding violence and causing teen addiction

The indictment details the public harm caused by ChatGPT, claiming it brings risks of addiction, cognitive decline, suicide, and violence to users. Florida prosecutors point out that ChatGPT has been accused of assisting mass shooters in planning "lethal violent acts," such as the 2025 Florida State University (FSU) shooting, and of engaging in conversations that mimic human empathy, leading immature teenage brains to develop serious dependence, and in some cases, providing dangerous medical advice or encouraging suicidal tendencies.

Florida prosecutors had already launched a criminal investigation into the FSU shooting in April this year, examining the shooter’s chat records with ChatGPT, and the investigation is still ongoing.

CEO Altman faces personal accountability; OpenAI emphasizes commitment to protecting minors

Another major focus of the lawsuit is that Florida authorities also accuse CEO Sam Altman of neglecting user safety and demand he take personal legal responsibility for his actions during his tenure as CEO.

In response to these serious allegations, an OpenAI spokesperson first expressed condolences to the families who lost loved ones, but also emphasized that artificial intelligence is an emerging technology. OpenAI has integrated industry-leading protective measures and policies into its products, including age prediction tools for minors and parental supervision features.

OpenAI’s valuation soars past $852 billion, legal battles continue

In the latest funding round in March, OpenAI successfully raised $122 billion, pushing its recent valuation to an astonishing $852 billion. However, aside from the Florida lawsuit, OpenAI also faces lawsuits from families of victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting in Canada, as well as multiple wrongful death suits alleging ChatGPT caused harmful delusions and even suicides among users.

This is not the first time Altman and OpenAI have faced accusations of placing profit above public interest. Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously sued OpenAI in 2024, accusing the company of abandoning its original nonprofit structure and public mission for commercial success.

• This article is reprinted with permission from: 《Chain News》
• Original title: "First in the U.S.! Florida Files Suit Against OpenAI, Blames CEO Sam Altman"
• Original author: Co2