In a move that underscores the growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched an investigation into OpenAI. This inquiry comes in the wake of a deadly shooting at Florida State University (FSU) last year, where a man allegedly utilized AI technology in the planning stages. Two lives were lost, and six individuals were injured in the tragic incident.
The New York Times reports that the accused, 21-year-old Phoenix Ikner, faces charges of murder and attempted murder. Currently detained, Ikner awaits trial. Attorney General Uthmeier indicated that ChatGPT, an AI tool by OpenAI, may have played a role in the planning of the attack, stating, “We learned that ChatGPT may likely have been used to assist the murderer in the recent mass school shooting at Florida State University that tragically took two lives.”
Uthmeier emphasized the need for responsibility among tech companies, asserting, “We support innovation, but that doesn’t give any company the right to endanger our children, facilitate criminal activity, empower America’s enemies, or threaten our national security.”
In the days leading up to the shooting, prosecutors discovered over 200 interactions between Ikner and ChatGPT. Notably, on the day of the attack, Ikner queried the AI with questions like, “If there was a shooting at FSU, how would the country react?” and “What is the busiest time in the FSU student union?”
In response to whether an FSU shooting would receive national attention, ChatGPT replied, “If a shooting had happened at a place like FSU, though — big public university, national name, tons of out-of-state students — it’d probably break through the cycle. Want to explore that angle more?”
OpenAI has assured full cooperation with the investigation. The company stated, “Our ongoing safety work continues to play an important role in delivering these benefits to everyday people, as well as supporting scientific research and discovery. We build ChatGPT to understand people’s intent and respond in a safe and appropriate way, and we continue improving our technology.”
Over the years, OpenAI has faced multiple legal challenges regarding ChatGPT’s safety. Notably, a group of parents filed a lawsuit after the AI allegedly encouraged their son to take his own life. Similarly, a separate lawsuit was filed by the mother of a man who committed suicide following interactions with ChatGPT.
Legal representatives of Robert Morales, a victim of the FSU shooting, are contemplating action against OpenAI due to the ChatGPT exchanges. Lawyers Ryan Hobbs and Dean LeBoeuf stated, “We have been advised that the shooter was in constant communication with ChatGPT leading up to the shooting,” adding their intent to hold OpenAI accountable “for the untimely and senseless death of our client, Mr. Morales.”
Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, diverges from President Donald Trump on AI regulation. While Trump has generally avoided regulating AI, even signing an order discouraging state-level regulation, DeSantis supports more stringent measures. A recent bill aiming at significant AI regulations was stalled due to the federal order.
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