James Uthmeier, the Attorney General of Florida has announced the launch of a formal investigation into OpenAI and its chatbot ChatGPT, citing concerns over potential harm, misuse, and risks to public safety.
In a statement shared on social media, Uthmeier said his office is seeking answers about whether artificial intelligence systems developed by OpenAI may have contributed to harmful outcomes, including risks to children and broader public safety threats.
The probe will also examine allegations that the technology may have played a role in facilitating a recent mass shooting at Florida State University, though details around that claim remain limited.
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The Attorney General said the investigation will focus on how OpenAI’s systems are designed, deployed, and safeguarded against misuse.
Authorities are expected to demand detailed information on the company’s practices, including the mechanisms in place to prevent harmful or illegal use of its tools.
Uthmeier emphasised that while artificial intelligence has transformative potential, it must be developed and used responsibly.
He warned that emerging technologies should not endanger users or be exploited in ways that undermine public safety.
The probe also raises concerns around data handling and national security. Uthmeier pointed to questions over how AI systems collect and process information, and whether such technologies or data could be accessed by adversarial actors, including foreign entities.
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He stressed that AI development must not compromise national interests as adoption accelerates across sectors.
In outlining the scope of the investigation, the Attorney General cited allegations that AI tools have been misused to generate harmful content, including material linked to child exploitation, as well as content that could encourage self-harm.
He said the inquiry would assess whether sufficient safeguards exist to prevent such outcomes.
The investigation is expected to involve legal action, with subpoenas likely to be issued to obtain further details from OpenAI regarding its operations and internal controls.
Officials indicated that the process will examine whether gaps in oversight or safety mechanisms may have enabled misuse.
Alongside the probe, Uthmeier called on state lawmakers to introduce stronger protections, particularly aimed at safeguarding children from risks associated with artificial intelligence.
He also urged the expansion of regulatory powers to address emerging challenges linked to rapidly evolving AI technologies.
OpenAI has not yet publicly responded to the announcement.
First Published on April 10, 2026, 15:17:05 IST
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