Florida Attorney General Investigates OpenAI Over ChatGPT's Alleged Role in Campus Shooting

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced an investigation into OpenAI on Thursday, probing ChatGPT's alleged involvement in a deadly shooting at Florida State University in April 2025. The incident left two dead and five injured, with attorneys for a victim claiming the chatbot was used to plan the attack, prompting a planned lawsuit by the victim's family. Uthmeier stated in a post on X that AI should advance humanity, not destroy it, and emphasized holding wrongdoers accountable, with subpoenas forthcoming. ChatGPT has been linked to multiple violent events, including murders and suicides, contributing to concerns about 'AI psychosis,' where chatbots reinforce delusions. For instance, Stein-Erik Soelberg, who had mental health issues, communicated regularly with ChatGPT before killing his mother and himself last year, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. An OpenAI spokesperson told TechCrunch that over 900 million people weekly use ChatGPT for beneficial purposes like learning and healthcare, with ongoing safety improvements and cooperation with the investigation. This probe adds to OpenAI's challenges, following a New Yorker profile criticizing Sam Altman and a paused Stargate-related project in the UK due to energy costs and regulation.