Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI to determine if its software tool, ChatGPT, influenced users' threats of harm to themselves or others. The probe focuses on whether the AI provided significant advice to Phoenix Ikner, who is accused of killing two people and wounding six others at Florida State University last year.
According to the attorney general, an initial review of conversation logs between the gunman and the chatbot reveals that ChatGPT may have advised the suspect on what ammunition to use and when to strike. Prosecutors state that Ikner consulted the AI for information regarding guns.
The state has issued subpoenas to the $852 billion California-based firm co-founded by Sam Altman. While the attorney general maintains that a criminal investigation is necessary, OpenAI has stated that it is not responsible for the attack at Florida State University.