Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier files a civil lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging the company released and promoted ChatGPT despite purported safety risks. Multiple outlets report that the complaint claims OpenAI ignored safety warnings and continued making ChatGPT available while knowing it could harm users. Sources also describe allegations that the chatbot can provide guidance on topics including self-harm and may generate information that could assist criminals, with particular concern for children and vulnerable users.

The lawsuit further alleges that OpenAI engaged in deceptive or unfair trade practices by, according to the complaint, conveying or implying that ChatGPT is safe for use. Bloomberg and other outlets say the state frames its claims around product liability and safety considerations. CNBC adds that the complaint characterizes the alleged harms as tied to an effort to compete in an “AI arms race” and to pursue significant profits.

Across the reports, the state court filing is described as a first-of-its-kind action by a U.S. state targeting OpenAI and Altman personally, seeking to hold them accountable for the alleged harms.