Florida sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over ChatGPT

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Monday sued OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the company marketed ChatGPT to the public without sufficiently warning of its dangers.

Why it matters: Florida is the first state to sue OpenAI, part of a growing string of lawsuits the state has filed against Big Tech companies, including Meta and Snapchat.

Driving the news: The complaint argues that OpenAI ignored warnings from experts about ChatGPT, which the state says has "aided and abetted" mass shooters and encouraged vulnerable individuals toward suicide.

• In doing so, the state alleges, the company acted negligently and violated Florida's prohibition on unfair and deceptive trade practices.
• Among the examples of ChatGPT's harms cited in the complaint is the murder of two University of South Florida graduate students, in which authorities say the suspect sought the tool's advice on disposing of bodies.

Between the lines: Gov. Ron DeSantis, who appointed Uthmeier (his former chief of staff), sought twice this year to rein in AI. Each attempt failed in the state House, after pushback from President Trump and Big Tech.

• In April, Uthmeier opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI after it was revealed that the gunman who opened fire at Florida State University had consulted ChatGPT before the shooting.
• Uthmeier said Monday that the investigation remains ongoing.

What they're saying: "OpenAI and Altman ignored internal and external safety warnings, put children at great risk, and allowed a dangerous product to reach millions of Floridians," Uthmeier said in a statement.

• OpenAI did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.