Florida has become the first U.S. state to file a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that its artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT has contributed to real-world harm, including cases linked to violent crime, self-harm risks, and unsafe interactions involving minors.
The lawsuit was filed on June 1, 2026, by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. It accuses OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, of releasing what it describes as an unsafe product and failing to adequately warn users about potential risks associated with generative AI systems.
The state is seeking financial damages and court-ordered changes to how ChatGPT operates, particularly in relation to safeguards for children and vulnerable users.
Florida’s complaint claims that ChatGPT has, in certain instances, provided responses or sustained interactions that were later associated with harmful outcomes.
Among the most serious allegations is that the chatbot was used by individuals connected to violent incidents, including a 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University.
State officials say investigators reviewed digital evidence suggesting the suspect had prior interactions with ChatGPT before carrying out the attack, though the full content and context of those conversations have not been publicly released.
Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a statement announcing the lawsuit: “OpenAI and Altman ignored internal and external safety warnings, put children at great risk, and allowed a dangerous product to reach millions of Floridians.”
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He argued that the company had a responsibility to implement stronger safeguards before deploying the system at scale.
The lawsuit also alleges broader harms, including claims that ChatGPT can encourage excessive use among minors and may produce unsafe or inappropriate responses in sensitive situations such as self-harm-related queries or violent ideation.
Florida officials argue that these risks were foreseeable and not adequately mitigated through existing safety controls.
OpenAI has rejected claims that it is responsible for criminal actions committed by users. In earlier responses to similar allegations, the company has stated that ChatGPT is designed with safety systems intended to refuse harmful or illegal instructions and that it does not encourage violence or wrongdoing.
The company also maintains that its models generate responses based on patterns in data and do not possess intent or agency.
Legal experts say the case could become a significant test of how existing consumer protection and product liability laws apply to generative AI systems, particularly where user actions occur after interacting with automated tools.
The outcome may influence future regulation of artificial intelligence in the United States, especially regarding safety obligations for systems widely used by the public.
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