A lawsuit against ChatGPT alleges that it provided guidance to a shooter on methods and locations for carrying out the attack.

      Tim Witzdam / Pexels

      The attorney general of Florida has initiated a criminal inquiry into OpenAI, accusing ChatGPT of assisting in planning the mass shooting at Florida State University, which resulted in two fatalities last year.

      As reported by The Washington Post, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced this during a press conference on Tuesday, asserting that the chatbot provided tactical guidance to the alleged shooter. "The chatbot offered advice on what type of firearm to use, what ammunition corresponds with each weapon, and whether a gun would be effective at close range," Uthmeier remarked.

      Office of the Florida Attorney General

      Uthmeier did not shy away from the consequences: "If a person were behind that screen, we would be charging them with murder." His office has also issued subpoenas to OpenAI, requesting the company elucidate its policies regarding user interactions that involve threats of violence.

      Is OpenAI culpable for how users utilize its chat service?

      OpenAI has firmly rejected these allegations. Spokesperson Kate Waters stated, “The mass shooting at Florida State University last year was a tragedy, but ChatGPT is not accountable for this heinous crime.”

      The company argues that ChatGPT delivered factual answers to inquiries that could be sourced from various locations on the internet and did not endorse or incite unlawful behavior.

      Is this only the start?

      This investigation reflects a rising concern about AI chatbots. OpenAI is currently facing scrutiny following another mass shooting in Canada and several lawsuits from families who argue that ChatGPT played a role in the suicides of their loved ones.

      Experts in AI emphasize that the safeguards for chatbots are not foolproof. Carnegie Mellon professor Ramayya Krishnan stated, “The guardrails are not 100 percent effective.”

      Whether OpenAI can be held criminally responsible is a decision for the courts, but it is undeniable that these AI chatbots can significantly impact an individual’s mental well-being and should be utilized with caution.

      Rachit is an experienced tech journalist with over seven years of expertise in the consumer technology sector.

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