OpenAI faces US criminal probe over alleged misuse of ChatGPT in campus shooting

OpenAI is under criminal investigation in the United States over whether its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, may have played a role in a fatal mass shooting at Florida State University, marking what appears to be the first such probe involving generative AI.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office has launched an investigation following a review of the suspect’s alleged use of ChatGPT prior to the incident. Authorities claim the chatbot may have provided guidance that influenced the attack.

“Our review has revealed that a criminal investigation is necessary,” Uthmeier said, adding that ChatGPT allegedly offered “significant advice” to the shooter, including recommendations on firearms, ammunition, and timing.

The suspect, identified as 20-year-old student Phoenix Ikner, is currently in custody and awaiting trial.

OpenAI, co-founded by Sam Altman, pushed back on the claims, saying the technology was not responsible for the crime. In a statement, the company said it has cooperated with authorities and proactively shared account information believed to be linked to the suspect.

“ChatGPT did not encourage or promote illegal or harmful activity,” an OpenAI spokesperson said. “In this case, it provided factual responses based on publicly available information.”

Still, Uthmeier argued that if a human had provided the same level of guidance, they could potentially face criminal charges under Florida law for aiding or abetting a crime. His office is now examining whether similar liability could extend to the company behind the AI system.

The case adds to mounting scrutiny on AI platforms, including Google, Meta, and Anthropic, as regulators raise concerns over how such tools may be misused.

Earlier this year, OpenAI was also linked to another violent incident in Canada, where the company said it identified and banned a user account associated with a separate mass shooting. A lawsuit has since been filed by victims’ families.

SOURCE: BBC