Florida's Attorney General has taken an unusual and legally far-reaching step: a formal investigation into the company behind ChatGPT, OpenAI. The background is the deadly shooting attack at Florida State University in April 2025 — and allegations that the perpetrator used ChatGPT in planning the attack.
Attorney General Subpoenas OpenAI
Attorney General James Uthmeier confirms that his office has issued a subpoena to OpenAI as part of the investigation, according to TechCrunch. Uthmeier justifies the investigation with three main elements: potential harm to minors, national security risks — including that foreign governments could exploit OpenAI's data — and the direct link to the university shooting.
Companies that cause harm will be held accountable to the full extent of the law
Uthmeier has emphasized that technology companies are not immune from liability when their products may have contributed to serious harm. The investigation will, among other things, examine whether ChatGPT actively encouraged users to self-harm or commit suicide — an allegation previously leveled against other AI chatbots and social media platforms.
Victim's Family Announces Lawsuit
The family of one of the two killed in the Florida State University shooting attack has announced plans to sue OpenAI, according to TechCrunch. This represents a potential precedent in the question of product liability for large language models.
At present, it is important to emphasize that the connection between ChatGPT and the attack is currently based on reports and allegations — no court has established causation or guilt.
Broader Legal Pressure Against AI Companies
Florida is not alone in intensifying pressure on the AI sector, but Attorney General Uthmeier's move is among the most concrete we have seen from a state authority in the USA. The formal investigation comes in addition to a series of legislative initiatives in the Florida parliament, all of which point towards increased regulation and clearer lines of accountability.
Former Attorney General Ashley Moody already sent a joint letter — signed by 53 attorneys general — to the US Congress in September 2023, demanding an investigation into AI's role in child exploitation, according to the collected source material.
OpenAI Has Not Commented
As of publication time, OpenAI has not publicly responded to the opening of the investigation or the subpoena. The company has previously dismissed similar criticism by referencing its terms of service and built-in safety measures. It is unclear to what extent ChatGPT actually provided concrete assistance in planning the attack, or what kind of instructions were given.
Legal experts point out that it is challenging to establish causation between an AI chatbot's responses and a human actor's actions — but these cases will likely force legal clarification that is currently lacking in the USA.
The investigation will be closely watched by both the AI industry and legal communities. The outcome could set precedents for how AI companies are held accountable for harmful use of their products — not just in Florida, but potentially at the federal level.