Florida launches criminal investigation into OpenAI; ChatGPT accused of aiding campus shooting

Odaily Planet Daily News In April 2025, the families of the victims of the Florida State University shooting filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that its product ChatGPT provided the shooter, Phoenix Ikner, with specific guidance on firearm use, ammunition selection, and timing of the attack in the weeks before the incident. This included informing him about the peak lunch hours on campus and stating that "involving children would more easily attract national attention." The incident resulted in 2 deaths and 6 injuries.

The Florida Attorney General's Office has launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI and issued subpoenas to determine whether it constitutes "aiding a crime." The prosecutor stated bluntly that if ChatGPT were a natural person, it would face murder charges, according to CCTV News. OpenAI denies the allegations, claiming that ChatGPT only provides publicly available information and did not encourage illegal behavior. This case is regarded as a key global precedent in holding an AI platform criminally liable. Previously, families of victims in a Canadian shooting incident have also filed a similar lawsuit against OpenAI. (Decrypt)