OpenAI faces lawsuits from 8 US states over ChatGPT’s alleged harm to users
Attorneys general from eight U.S. states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT exposes users to harmful content and violates consumer protection laws. The states are seeking court orders to force changes in how the AI operates and to prevent the development of self-improving models.
Why it matters
This represents a significant escalation in the legal and regulatory battle over AI safety, accountability, and the potential for corporate liability regarding generative AI outputs.
OpenAI is facing a fresh legal challenge in the US, with attorneys general from eight states accusing the company of exposing users, including teenagers, to harmful behaviour through its ChatGPT chatbot. The lawsuits allege that the AI tool has reinforced delusions, encouraged self-harm and helped users plan violence, including mass shootings.Attorneys general from Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia filed separate lawsuits in state courts on Wednesday. The complaints claim ChatGPT is designed to be agreeable and engaging to build users’ trust, potentially making them more vulnerable to dangerous interactions.States seek changes to ChatGPTThe lawsuits accuse OpenAI of violating state consumer protection laws by misleading users about ChatGPT’s safety. They also allege that the company has created a public nuisance by endangering the health and safety of residents.The states are seeking court orders requiring OpenAI to change how ChatGPT operates.
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